Pippa Scott is the sole Vermonter to make cut; winner receives full-tuition scholarship
By Polly Mikula
Pippa Scott, a student at Killington Mountain School in Killington, has been named one of five finalists in the University of Vermont’s inaugural Vermont Pitch Challenge, a new entrepreneurial-focused competition that gives high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the world a chance to win a full-tuition scholarship to UVM by pitching innovative business plans that create a positive impact.
Scott’s submission, “Ride for Mental Health,” would provide an outlet of support through action sports for kids struggling with mental health issues.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity to pitch Ride for Mental Health in front of the Vermont pitch judges and for Ride for Mental Health to reach a bigger audience,” Scott wrote in an email to the Mountain Times.
Nearly 150 students or teams of students from seven countries and 27 states submitted their business plans for consideration. Only the five finalists, however, will have the change to pitch their plans April 4 in-person to the panel of judges at UVM. Finalists will be ranked first to fifth. The full scholarship to UVM is the grand prize with second and third place will receiving $5,000 checks and fourth and fifth receiving $1,000 checks.
Scott will be competing against four other finalists for the grand prize. They include:
Competitor Sebastian Tan from Sewickly, Pennsylvania, with the business “OutsideConnection,” which helps formerly incarcerated individuals find employment opportunities.
Competitors Pierson Jones and Parker Jones from Lutz, Florida, with the business “DiscGuard,” which improves patient outcomes by preventing re-injury after spinal surgery.
Competitor Eliza Strum from Ticonderoga, New York, with the business “EcoCharge,” which reduces electric and plastic waste through eco-friendly charging.
Competitor Danny Phillip from Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, with the business “Agri-Equip Incorporation,” which catalyzes agricultural development in the vibrant landscapes of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Submitted
Pippa Scott
