West Liberty Comets Earn Three Awards at University of Iowa DesignDash
Nine West Liberty High School students participated in the DesignDash STEM event on Friday, October 16, in Ankeny, Iowa, and brought home awards in three categories. The event was sponsored by the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dorie Kordick-Wanek and Kenley Harned earned Best Pitch for the best overall idea. Best Impact for End User went to Addison Guerra and Jacob Lugo, while Ethan Hayes and Huxley Rock received Investors Choice, selected by all participants.
The recognition extended beyond the competition. Afterward, the deputy director of research for the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center approached Dorie and Kenley’s group and said he had decided to take their idea, FLAME, back to the center for implementation. FLAME aims to increase interest and job-shadowing opportunities to improve access to medical care in rural areas.
DesignDash is an onsite startup event where high school students from across Iowa work in teams to build a business in a day, with mentorship from community partners and Iowa educators. The event welcomes students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, engineering, invention, design, technology, problem-solving, creativity, gaming, and the arts.
West Liberty’s participants were Addison Guerra, Kenley Harned, Dorie Kordick-Wanek, Shivangi Dhamija, Benjamin Linares, Huxley Rock, Ethan Berry, Ethan Hayes, and Jacob Lugo.
High School Science teacher Ms. Martinez celebrated the students’ efforts: “Great work by all!! I'm so proud of our Comet participants!”
Congratulations to all nine Comets on their creativity, teamwork, and success at DesignDash!
Best Impact for End User Award Recipients: (Addison Guerra and Jacob Lugo)
Best Pitch Award Recipients: (Dorie Kordick-Wanek and Kenley Harned)
Investors' Choice Award Recipients: (Huxley Rock and Ethan Hayes)
West Liberty DesignDash Participants:
Back Row (L-R): Benjamin Linares, Huxley Rock, Ethan Berry, Ethan Hayes, and Jacob Lugo.
Front Row (L-R): Addison Guerra, Kenley Harned, Dorie Kordick-Wanek, and Shivangi Dhamija.