Thomas Jefferson High School was packed with students driving robots, tending to live chicks, demonstrating cooking and pottery, and even pitching business propositions onstage on May 22.

The inaugural Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholar Showcase was a chance for students to share and celebrate their participation in district programs that help ensure graduates leave Federal Way Public Schools as college and career ready. The goal of the event was to get younger students excited about the programs they will have the opportunity to access in middle and high school, and for business partners to see the results of their support and collaboration, according to the district.

CTE programs can provide a range of benefits to students, including features like free college credit, hands-on learning, preparation for high-demand careers, industry recognized certificates and credentials, college readiness, career exploration, early exposure to potential career pathways and credit fulfillment for their high school diploma.

One aspect of the showcase featured business pitches from students who participated in the INCubator Entrepreneurship program, a curriculum by Uncharted Learning. In this program, 125 students from five high schools received support and mentorship to develop business proposals.

Students had the opportunity to compete in teams at their schools, and the top entrepreneur from each school could pitch to three judges at the INCubator Final Pitch event on Wednesday.

Charissa Eggleston is the Facilitator of Innovative Programs and Community Partnerships for FWPS, and shared some of the goals for the INCubator program.

“The biggest thing I hope that our scholars get out of the program is the confidence to pitch anything. This class is definitely about starting a business, a real business, but pitching or advocating for yourself and ideas is a lifelong skill,” Eggleston said. “Scholars who participate in this program have the opportunity to practice public speaking, defending their ideas and becoming more comfortable and confident adults. Our scholars may move on to pitch business plans but all will definitely be using these skills to interview for jobs, scholarships, internships and eventually negotiating when purchasing a care or their first home.

This is just the second year of the program, but it has already expanded. Eggleston said that the first year they had about 11 community mentors that came in consistently, but this year, they increased the number of community volunteers. “Due to our amazing community champion and other partners, we were able to have 45 folks that came in regularly to support the kids,” Eggleston said.

Another change was diversification of the roles represented by those mentors.

“Previously, we focused on recruiting business owners and entrepreneurs, but we noticed we also needed accountants, graphic designers, marketing specialist and lawyers to support our scholars with developing viable business,”Eggleston said, and for next year “I think our area of growth for this program is to further develop scholars pitching skills.”

During the pitch, students outlined their business idea, detailing everything from why their product filled a need in the market to how much cash they would need to get started.

Judges included Gerald Smiley, a former Texas Ranger, Realtor with The Agency and an entrepreneur; Andrew Powers, who is an entrepreneur and a certified small business and minority business advisory for SmartZone and the Highline College Small Business Administration; and Robert Gates Jr., an entrepreneur and former Cal State Fullerton entrepreneur professor.

In addition to grilling students about their pitches, the judges also shared advice and guidance, including ways to get their businesses started without hefty investments.

This year’s program also utilized INCubator alumni that are now business owners, who were “able to talk come into the classroom and share with the scholars what it’s really like and they’re just a couple years older than our current scholars,” Eggleston said.

One of these was Malik Allen-Bey, a 24-year-old Todd Beamer graduate who owns a used car lot and holds a real estate license. Eggleston said Allen-Bey was a great example of how you can be a “quiet business shark.” Scholars in this program do not need to be the stereotypical sales person, but do need to know their product and confidently pitch and defend it.

Four different business ideas were presented at the Final Pitch, and a group from Todd Beamer High School with a product called Interchangeables ultimately won.

The final products of a robotics program at TAF@Saghalie were seen at the CTE showcase, along with videos created by students and tables featuring projects throughout the year. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Judges ask final questions and provide feedback at the INCubator Entrepreneur program final pitch before making their final decision on the winner. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang/The Mirror

Judges talk with the students after the Final Pitch competition, sharing some last advice about how to get their business off the ground. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang/The Mirror

The Interchangeables team shows off their products and award after winning the Final Pitch competition as part of the INCubator program at five high schools in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang/The Mirror