School news: A business plan, math and science competition and leaders honored

Sunny Lu and William Du, seniors at The John Carroll School, placed first in the semifinal round of the Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs March 29 in Wilmington, Del.

The Diamond Challenge is a real world business concept competition with an educational purpose, according to information about the competition.

Du and Lu, international students from China who came to John Carroll two years ago, competed against 11 other high school teams, according to the Bel Air school. The duo impressed the judges because of the feasibility of their business model, a well-written business plan and a compelling presentation to entrepreneur investors.

“William approached me about the Diamond Challenge through his senior project adviser, Louise Geczy,” Larry Dukes, Du’s entrepreneur mentor and the school’s athletic director, said in a statement. “He had several solid ideas that seemed viable and he had done extensive research to make his case. After reviewing several we settled on the current business plan because both students had lived the experience.”

At the center of Du and Lu’s business model is the delivery of personal items and gift packages from home to international students studying in the U.S., according to John Carroll. Their company is Love Delivery, LLC.

“Sunny understands exactly what the Chinese and other international students in the U.S. and their families appreciate,” Du said in a statement. “She constructed a great set of gift packages and the components of a website to order them. We also allow the families to see the delivery video.”

While some colleges offer gift packages to students during exams, for birthdays and other special occasions, none cater to the growing international population, according to John Carroll.

“This is what our international program is all about,” Madelyn Ball, John Carroll’s principal, said in a statement. “Our students learn about each other, understand how the world can be a better place and build solutions to make a difference. William and Sunny are examples of what it means to grow in several ways in line with our mission statement.”

Seven students from Archbishop Borders School in Highlandtown participated in the math and science competition Destination Imagination Feb. 22 at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson.

Their team name was Archbishop Borders Brain Tease. 

Archbishop Borders students participated in the “Going to Extremes” challenge. Their scientific problem was extreme conditions, specifically being stranded in a desert after a plane crash. They were tasked with creating everything to stay cool and survive.

Destination Imagination works to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders, according to the nonprofit. During team challenges, students learn 21st century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, citizenship and courage, to build on their strengths.

Carleen Doherty, a fourth-grade teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School, has been selected as a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar, the Annapolis school has announced.

Doherty is one of 80 teachers selected to attend a NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshop, according to St. Mary’s. She will participate in the “Secret Culture, Public Lives: Slavery in the Colonial Chesapeake” workshop during the week-long program at Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater.

The NEH supports summer study opportunities for teachers to work with experts in the humanities disciplines. 

 

Dr. Thomas H. Powell, president of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, and Tony Testa, owner of Rocky’s New York Pizza in Thurmont, were honored at the annual MSS Business and Professional Recognition reception and awards ceremony March 18 at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg.