A record-setting 24 OHS students participated in the 10th annual OHS Harlamert Foundation Entrepreneurship competition, administered by The Oakwood Schools Foundation and underwritten by Irvin Harlamert, a 1948 graduate of OHS.
The annual competition lets students imagine themselves as future business owners, inventors or philanthropists. Each student shadows an entrepreneur and submits a written report about their experience. A panel of judges evaluates the creative reports that highlight the student’s personal experience and reflections.
Harlamert started the competition, which is open to all OHS students, in 2010 as a way to give back to the Oakwood Schools because of the education he and his children received. Each year $5,000 in prize money, broken down into three categories, is awarded.
Two students were recognized in the competition for well-written essays.
Owen Dewing, who is part of the class of 2021, said he relished the opportunity to learn more about being an entrepreneur.
“I’ve never thought about being an entrepreneur, but through this experience I learned that anything is possible.,” he said. “The business owner I met with helped me to understand that it might be a journey to discover what I’m meant to do in life.”
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Rachel Dalrymple, who is a member of the class of 2019, said the competition inspired her to think about being a business owner.
“This shadowing experience has helped me realize that a passion for what you do can become a successful enterprise, and inspired me to keep thinking about entrepreneurship as an option for my future,” she said.
Superintendent Kyle Ramey explained that the event has “created a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore a world of career possibilities around entrepreneurship.”
Principal Paul Waller said: “Connecting our students to the real world of entrepreneurship through the experiences shared by local professionals is such an amazing learning opportunity and a great example of the value of education in our community.”
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This year’s winners of the “Inspired” award at the Harlamert Foundation Entrepreneurship competition and $220 each were Oakwood students Cecilia Dalrymple (9th grade), Rachel Dalrymple (12), Owen Dewing (10), Sara Joly (10) and Katelyn Nels (10). Winners of the “Innovator” award and $210 each were Porsche Ashley (11), Jackson Bauer (10), Lily Eifert (11), Dan Flannery (10), Matt Flannery (11), Katie Griffith (10), Julia Guzman (12), George Maroz (10), Patrick O’Hara (10), Rylan Quigley (11), Peter Salisbury (12), Sophie Schnell (11), Grace Spitzmiller (10) and Aviva Young (11). The “Creators” each took home $190 and included: Grace Almoney (11), Albert Choi (10), Nate Eckerle (9), Rodney Jones (12) and Ryann Mescher (10).
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