Ossining Summer School Culminates with Product Pitches from Budding Entrepreneurs

On the last two days of Ann M. Dorner Middle School’s Extended School Year Academy, the Ossining High School library was transformed into a miniature version of the ABC reality series “Shark Tank,” in which entrepreneurs seek financial support from wealthy businesspeople.

On July 29 and 30, the students pitched their prospective products to a panel of members of the local business community and a school official, wowing them with ideas like shoes that could be converted from high heels to flats and vice versa; a musical hat that changed colors based on the music; a flying bike; shoes with built-in heating and air conditioning; and a toothbrush that played music.

“Have your feet ever hurt so much at work because you were wearing heels?” Keila Alvarez and Jhenifer Zhirzhan Arevalo asked the panelists. “Now, just for $150 you can buy your own Switcher.”

The “sharks” said they were on board. “I think it’s a very healthy idea,” said panelist Susan Riordan, a local architect.

The presentations were the culmination of intensive summer work in English Language Arts and mathematics. They included a cost analysis of retail and wholesale prices, expenses, worker salaries, a factory blueprint, a marketing plan and other important details.

“They were able to create presentations that were authentic learning for them as well as relating to the real world,” said Lisa Margolis, an AMD teacher who taught summer school.

The 97 students attended school four days a week for three hours, with an additional hour of instruction each day for 30 of them who are English as a New Language learners, said Stephen Hancock, an AMD assistant principal.

Henry Ascencio, who pitched a Beats-Mic that would allow users to practice rap and hip hop lyrics and compete against others around the world, said he got a lot out of the program. “I learned perseverance, courage and that I should always face my fears with my peers,” he said.

Jhenifer said she was happy to have something to do over the summer. “In my house, I was so bored that it was fun being here,” she said. “The teachers taught me a lot of stuff that I didn’t know before.”

On the second day of AMD’s Shark Tank, Kevin Campbell pitched the Transketball, which he had developed with Emric Cole. The Transketball – whose slogan is “The best basketball in the galaxy” – would be a training basketball with a built-in screen to watch videos and game highlights.

“I think the sharks are in on this one,” said John Girolamo, director of public relations for the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Johnny G DJ Entertainment.

The other panelists were Harry Campbell, president of Biofeedback Resources; Alita Zuber, Ossining’s assistant superintendent for business; and John Stylianou, manager of TD Bank.

Another pitch was for an app called I-Closet, which would have an inventory of someone’s closet and develop outfits based on the type of event or location the user describes. The students said people wouldn’t have to pay a stylist to help them dress, “or waste type digging in your closet.”

Two other students proposed a cosmetics product called MakeUp Pro for $39.99. Purchasers would fill out an online survey and the company’s beauty experts would choose the appropriate colors and makeup. The girls proposed including a manual with the kit, but the sharks recommended an online video instead.

Another prospective product was a backpack called E-Go, with an electrical outlet to charge phones and other devices. It would be waterproof and would retail for $100.

“Hopefully some of you will put these ideas into practice and become millionaires and buy me a Ferrari,” Mr. Girolamo said with a laugh.