Students from Chagrin Falls High School’s Fall Marketing course have been recognized with Honorable Mention honors in the prestigious thinkBIG! Online Business Plan Writing Challenge through the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum, a statewide competition that showcases student innovation, entrepreneurship, and business strategy skills.
Justin Bookman (Sophomore), Matthew Busby (Senior) and Henry Horvath (Sophomore) earned this distinction for their business plan titled "StayPut", bookbags that focus on preventing tipping and spilling by automatically stabilizing themselves when placed on the ground or a surface. Cayden Vilneff (Senior) was also named Honorable Mention for his business plan “FreshLoop”, a technology-enabled small business that reduces food waste and grocery costs by connecting consumers with surplus, near expiration food from local grocery stores, bakeries, and cafes through a mobile app and pickup hubs.
The thinkBIG! Challenge invites students to develop comprehensive business plans that demonstrate creativity, market research, financial planning, and real-world feasibility. It is designed to encourage young entrepreneurs to explore business ownership and innovation while gaining hands-on experience in market analysis, budgeting, operations planning, and marketing strategy. Entries are evaluated by industry professionals and business leaders from across Northeast Ohio.
The Honorable Mention recognition places these students among the top competitors statewide, highlighting their ability to think strategically and apply classroom learning to real-world business scenarios. These students will be recognized at the thinkBIG! Summit on Tuesday, March 3 at Case Western Reserve University.
“This recognition reflects the hard work, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset our students bring to the classroom,” said Business Teacher John Bakalar. “Competing at this level requires strong research, critical thinking, and communication skills. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishment.”
Participation in competitions like thinkBIG! supports Chagrin Falls High School’s commitment to preparing students for college, careers, and future leadership roles in business and beyond.