BUILDFest SWPA 2024
5 – 6pm Opening Reception & Semi-Finalist Showcase
6 – 7:30pm 2024 SWPA Youth Pitch Competition Finals
– Welcome – Holly Turkovic and Lamar Blackwell
– Team Presentations and Judges Q&A
– BNY Mellon Leadership Award
– Special Thanks
– Announcement of Winners
Finalist Pitching Teams
Team Preservors
Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy
Students: Jaden Mitchell, Jerel Sims
Teacher: Melissa Selko
Team Zapped
Northgate Senior High School
Students: Bayleigh Hooper, Kadenne Kemp, Lenniyah Davis
Teacher: Jennifer Tusick
Drake’s Animation
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
Students: Martin Efftimoski, Emily Durrant, Brooklynn Turner, Eniola Olatunbosun
Teacher: Debra Titus
SEMI-FINALIST TEAMS
Team Peaceful State
McKeesport Area Senior High School
Students: Najee Clark, Jameson Walker
Teacher: Jill Hershey
Team Preventors
Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy
Students: Fatima Bangura
Teacher: Melissa Selko
T.S.Z. 3.6.0. Vision Band Monessen High School
Students: Camryn Locker-Hazard, Arian Ward, Rick Hazuka, Brandon Hazuka, Elliot Nick
Teacher: Matthew Strine
JUDGES
Dean Richards, Program Officer, Learning; Heinz Endowments
Tenesha Smith, Director; Riverside Center for Innovation
Dr. Reginald Hickman, Director of Curriculum; Urban Pathways Charter School
Thais Rezende, President & CEO; BUILD
GUEST SPEAKERS
Holly Turkovic, BUILDFest Pittsburgh, EmCee, Former Director of National Kidney Foundation and Pittsburgh Cares; Franchise Owner, EverLine Coatings and Services Greater Pittsburgh
BUILD PITTSBURGH STAFF
Lamar Blackwell, Founding Director, BUILD Pittsburgh
Emily Donato, Sr. Program Manager, BUILD Pittsburgh
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
- Richard King Mellon Foundation
- Comcast
- BNY Mellon
- Grable Foundation
