The Chamber is proud to recognize the entrepreneurial spirit among Arlington ISD students by hosting this year’s 14th Annual “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest Awards Ceremony virtually.
For fourteen years, the “What’s Your Big idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest has challenged and empowered tens of thousands of students to think big and dream even bigger. This curriculum-based contest encourages 3rd through 8th grade students to submit art and essays depicting their idea for a new business or product.
“Entrepreneurship is what separates a good city from a GREAT city. We are so lucky and proud to recognize Arlington as a GREAT city! We have created the best and largest curriculum-based entrepreneurship contest in the country through our community partnerships,” said Michael Jacobson, President & CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, “It’s inspiring to see the future of our city through the ideas of our AISD students. Each contest finalist has the potential to play an integral part in the growth and success of Arlington and the great state of Texas.”
Since the contests’ inception, the “What’s Your Big idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest Awards Ceremony has recognized nearly 19,000 students finalists who have created innovative ideas. This years’ award ceremony is recognizing more than 1,400 student finalists whose entries were selected amongst 5,000+ entries district-wide.
“I am inspired by the ingenuity and creativity shown by our students every year in the What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest and this year is no different,” said Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, Superintendent of Schools for Arlington ISD. “Thank you to the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and other community partners who continue to engage and inspire our students to come up with the next big idea.”
Together, everyone involved in the” What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest and Awards Ceremony is investing in the future of our community and fostering entrepreneurship for years to come. The Chamber would like to thank everyone who has made a difference in the lives of Arlington ISD’s students through their support. Special thanks to radio star and entrepreneur Rock T for being our emcee of this exciting and special event. We are also appreciative of Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and Mark Cuban for their guest appearances congratulating our young entrepreneurs.
The Chamber is extremely grateful for the Partners in Education (PIE) Advisory Council and the “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship sub-committee for making this year’s virtual ceremony possible. Thank you for creating educational and meaningful experiences for our youth! Meet the members of these committees below.
What’s Your Big Idea? 2020 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: The University of Texas at Arlington
Entrepreneurship Sponsor: Wells Fargo
Innovation Sponsor: City of Arlington
Gold Star Sponsor: Arlington Highlands
Gold Star Sponsor: Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic & Spine Arlington
Event Sponsors: Cadmus Dental & Prosperity Bank
Partners in Education Committee
Stephanie Willmon, Chair – Six Flags Over Texas/Hurricane Harbor
James Hollis, Immediate Past Chair – The University of Texas at Arlington
Alexa Aragonez – City of Arlington
Dr. Tommy Awtry – Tarrant County College – Southeast Campus
Leslie Birdow – inspirED
Natalie Brigance – PSK LLP
Telisa Brown – Arlington Independent School District
Michael Cinatl – Tarrant County College – Southeast Campus
Joe DeVito – PSK LLP
Shellie Eldredge – Independent Scentsy Consultant
Anita Foster – Arlington Independent School District
Esmeralda Garcia – Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
Sandy Hitt – Arlington Independent School District
Tiffany Jasper Jones – Youth Entrepreneurs
Debi Knoblock – Texas Trust Credit Union
Rudy Martinez – Six Flags Over Texas/Hurricane Harbor
Mercedes Mayer – Arlington Independent School District
Scott Parsinen – Cadmus Dental
Susan Patterson – Arlington Independent School District
Aaron Perales – Arlington Independent School District
Cyril Puthoff – L3 Technologies, Link Training & Simulation
Brett Rachel – Ennova Learning Solutions
Lt. Col. Kevin Smith – The University of Texas at Arlington
Larry Stephens – Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Letatia Teykl – Levitt Pavilion
John Thielman – ShareFest-Texas, Inc.
Rocky “Rock T” Turner – RockTeen Youth Foundation
Kari Winter – Arlington Independent School District
“What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest Sub-Committee
Scott Parsinen, Co-Chair – Cadmus Dental
Tiffany Jasper Jones, Co-Chair – Youth Entrepreneurs
Alexa Aragonez – City of Arlington
Deborah Blackner – Arlington Independent School District
Natalie Brigance – PSK, LLP
Shellie Eldredge – Independent Scentsy Consultant
Shane Huff – University of Texas at Arlington
Debi Knoblock – Texas Trust Credit Union
Mercedes Mayer – Arlington Independent School District
Susan Patterson – Arlington Independent School District
Aaron Perales – Arlington Independent School District
Teri Schultz – University of Texas at Arlington – EpIC MAVS
Rocky “Rock T” Turner – RockTeen Youth Foundation
Stephanie Willmon – Six Flags Over Texas/Hurricane Harbor
“What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest Volunteers
ActionCOACH
The Arlington Independent School District (AISD)
AISD Business and Marketing Practicum Students
The City of Arlington
Ennova Learning Solutions
The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Women’s Alliance
The Levitt Pavilion
PSK
Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor
Texas Trust Credit Union
Tarrant County College-Southeast Campus
The University of Texas at Arlington
UTA EpIC MAVS
Youth Entrepreneurs
If you would like to celebrate this year’s student finalists, please join in the conversation online using #WhatsYourBigIdea.