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Four outstanding teams of Florida High School High Tech (HSHT) students took part in the final round of the 2024 Project Venture entrepreneurial competition held April 9 in Jacksonville. Each team pitched their business plan to a panel of judges made up of industry experts, all in front of a live audience of nearly 200 attendees.

The results from the statewide competition:

1. Gulf County HSHT - Teen Mobile - Coordinated by CareerSource Florida Gulf Coast
2. Broward County North HSHT - Paw Pros - Coordinated by the Center for Independent Living of Broward
3. Duval County West HSHT - Mobile Mechanix - Coordinated by The Arc of Jacksonville
4. Leon County HSHT - Support HS - Coordinated by Ability1st

Congratulations to the four winning teams! Read about each team's business idea and learn more about the competition by clicking this link or the Learn More button.

In this month's Partner Perspectives, Braulio Colón, co-founder and executive director of the Florida College Access Network discusses trends students should be aware of as they make future plans after high school.

Read this month's Partner Perspective to learn about some of the challenges students are facing as well as learning how FCAN is helping to resolve these issues. Click here or click the Learn More button.

A talented artist and animator, Hillsborough County High School High Tech student Lucas Tigre attended the University of South Florida’s Arts4All Animation Camp and worked with his fellow students to create an animated film that was ultimately presented at Comic-Con. Lucas illustrated and animated the main character for the film. We are excited to see what he draws up next!

Read more about Lucas and his fellow HSHT students’ successes on our HSHT Highlights page! (Information and photo courtesy of ServiceSource.)

For individuals in search of new career opportunities, CareerSource Florida helps Floridians find jobs in high-growth industries with mid- to high-wage potential. Whether you’re looking for employment, making a strategic career move, or building your own business, CareerSource Florida can help you reach your goal at no cost to you.

The CareerSource Florida network features local career centers throughout the state that are ready to connect you with new opportunities. Take the first step and meet with a member of your local workforce development board by visiting careersourceflorida.com and clicking on Find Your Local Team.

We were excited to see Project Venture teams present their pitches! To see news coverage of these impressive students, check out the media links below.

• Project Venture... Shark Tank for high school students with disabilities - News 4 Jax
• Duval County West High School students take third-place in entrepreneurship competition - Action News Jax.com
• Wewa seniors win state championship for entrepreneurship - The Star

Interested in Strengthening

High School High Tech?

- Would you host a tour of your business or industry for your local High School High Tech students?

- Interested in speaking to HSHT students about college or training programs?

Let us connect you to your local HSHT program coordinator so you can make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

Invest in Florida's Future Workforce

Investing in preparing students with disabilities for post-secondary success helps nurture a stronger talent pipeline for Florida at large.

As our state’s workforce continues to evolve, it is imperative that we focus on opportunities to provide students with disabilities with the tools to adapt, grow, and advance in their chosen fields.

www.abletrust.org

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, is a 501(c)(3) public charity established by the Florida Legislature in 1990 as a direct support organization for the 

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Its mission is to be a key leader in providing

Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment.