On Tuesday evening, May 19, something extraordinary happened at Cathedral Catholic High School.
Twenty students – ranging from wide-eyed freshmen to seniors on the brink of adulthood – stepped onto a stage. Waiting for them were three accomplished judges from the financial world and an audience of more than 250 people. The task before them was daunting: each student-led startup had just five minutes to pitch their dream, followed by five minutes of intense, unscripted questioning.
Standing backstage, my heart was in my throat. I was incredibly nervous for them. It is one thing to present to experienced judges in a quiet room; it is something else entirely to do it with hundreds of eyes burning into you. These were teenagers being asked to do what many adults would actively run from.
But then, the lights dimmed.
Instantly, the energy shifted. The room came alive. It was one of those rare, breathless moments when everyone in attendance collectively realizes they are about to witness something unforgettable.
The first company stepped forward, led by Chris, who set out to revolutionize the fashion industry. He didn’t just speak; he opened with music and moved straight into a live fashion show, instantly captivating the room. Watching those students model, a wave of awe hit me: This is utterly amazing. Chris didn’t skip a single beat. He was articulate, passionate, and completely in command. In that exact moment, I knew we were in for something special.
And then, the magic just kept growing.
Startup after startup took the stage, each one lifting the room higher. It took me a full day just to process what I had witnessed, because evenings like this are so rare. They are the kinds of memories that stay with you forever.
These kids weren’t just checking off a box for a school grade. They were pouring their hearts into real ideas, real companies, and real solutions. They were thinking like entrepreneurs, presenting like seasoned professionals, and – most beautifully – supporting each other like a family.
- Drew took the stage with an AI health platform. The true marvel wasn’t just the concept, but the fact that he had coded the software and built the app entirely himself. The sheer initiative, intelligence, and grit behind his work was staggering.
- Then came Joey and Charlotte. They are only freshmen. Watching them from the wings, I was moved by their incredible confidence and composure. They pitched a caffeine alternative designed for focus without the crash. Looking at them, you realized how deeply they understood the grueling, exhausted lives of today’s student-athletes.
- Cara and Hayden followed with a program designed to nutritionally enhance high school athletes across the country. Having spent my life surrounded by health, nutrition, and performance, my heart swelled seeing their vision. It wasn’t just a business plan; it was a practical, deeply relevant lifeline for their peers.
What moved me most wasn’t the brilliant business models or the polished slides. It was their courage.
Through the Dons Business Institute, these students spent a year learning and practicing. But beyond the spreadsheets and marketing strategies, they had developed something sacred: the bravery to stand up, share a piece of their soul, and believe in what they were building.
That is where the true power lies.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Cathedral Catholic High School, the Dons Business Institute, and the visionary leadership behind this program. You didn’t just build a curriculum; you created a sanctuary where young people could stretch, take risks, dream out loud, and achieve things they never thought possible.
It was so much more than a pitch night. It was a window into tomorrow. And looking at the brilliance, heart, and undeniable courage on that stage… I can tell you that the future is in very safe hands.
