Waynesburg University’s Entrepreneurial Hub for Innovative Ventures and Endeavors (eHIVE) recently held its fourth annual “Something from Nothing” Challenge.
The theme of this year’s challenge was repurposing or reusing plastic, and the challenge was conducted virtually. Cassy Dorsch, program coordinator for the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, said that this year’s participation was the best yet.
“This was our largest competition to date, and it was exciting to see growth in the number of entries, number of student participants and fan favorite votes,” Dorsch said. “Perhaps even more exciting was our students’ growing ability to develop unique solutions for social issues that we see every day. It was very encouraging to see our students and high school students create unique products from plastic waste that would normally end up in a landfill.”
A total of 95 University students participated in the challenge with a total of 37 team and individual submissions.
Winners listed by category:
Economic, Social, Medical/Scientific
- First place: “Recycled Tool Handles” by Kenneth Cairns, sponsored by the Waynesburg University Fine Arts Department
- Second place: “Home for Homeless Animals” by Caitlin Misejka and Gabrielle Ammons, sponsored by the Waynesburg University Fine Arts Department
- Third place: “Stray Cat Shelter” by Joey Rothacher, Emily Petro, Rory Montreuil and Seth Massotti , sponsored by BUS 155 (Creativity and Innovation)
- Fan favorite: “Recycled Grocery Bag” by Jake Hall
Environmental
- First place: “Sea Coasters” by Katelyn Hrubetz, Kailee Pavlinich and Chris Makosey, sponsored by Waynesburg University Fine Arts Department
- Second place: “’The Beauty of Nature’ Jewelry Tree” by Amy Liu, Anika Dansby, Cheyanne Forson and Jamie Frisbie, sponsored by BUS 155 (Creativity and Innovation)
- Third place: “Bloom” by Deborah Neal, Jennifer Long, George Eberhart and Michael Zamora, sponsored by BUS 155 (Creativity and Innovation)
- Fan favorite: “Sea Coasters” by Katelyn Hrubetz, Kailee Pavlinich and Chris Makosey, sponsored by Waynesburg University Fine Arts Department
High School
- First place: “Cloud Flasher” by Breanna Kerr and Bryn Lahew, sponsored by Waynesburg Central High School
- Second place: “Oh Christmas Tree” by Coltin Talpas, Evan Davis, Dylan Miller and Ryan Virgili, sponsored by Waynesburg Central High School
- Third place: “Recycled Oceanic Art” by Madison McMaster, sponsored by Waynesburg Central High School
- Fan favorite: “Cloud Flasher” by Breanna Kerr and Bryn Lahew, sponsored by Waynesburg Central High School
Both the students and sponsoring department won a cash award for placing in the event. For first place in each category, each team member and sponsor won $100. Second place received $75 and third place, $50.
The individual team members and sponsor won $100 for finishing as the “Fan Favorite” in their respective categories.
