Teen Entrepreneurs Impress Judges In ‘Sink or Swim’ Competition

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – Local teens took a deep dive into showcasing their entrepreneurial skills at Ocean County College’s third annual “Sink or Swim” competition. Hosted by the college’s Entrepreneur Club, participants presented and sold their innovative ideas to a panel of judges inspired by the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”

As the event’s master of ceremonies, Professor Chris D. Bottomley introduced the aspiring business moguls as they hit the center stage to demonstrate their design skills and creativity. The competitors also presented business plans as they advocated for funding and support of their projects.

A total of nine teams participated in the competition, which included students from Jackson Memorial High School, Manchester Township High School, Point Pleasant High School, and Toms River High School North. Each brought their own unique ideas and approaches to the table.

Several projects focused on using mobile apps or online platforms to support products related to health, well-being, and safety. Others aimed to address fashion-related issues, targeting either individuals in need or catering to those with significant disposable income.

After pitching their innovative designs, students faced the added pressure of quickly answering tough questions posed by four judges sitting in the front row. The powerhouse panel of judges featured Jim Mahlmann, the Director of Net Centra; Lori Pepenella, the CEO of the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce;

Ocean County College Law Professor and community leader Mark J. Mutter; and Katie Calabrese, the Director of Membership & Education at the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.

Monetary awards to the teams of winners came courtesy of the Ocean County College Foundation.

In the end, one of the Manchester High School teams earned $3,000 as the top prize winner in the Sink or Swim competition. Team Stylish Safety members Madison Cubbison, Mackenzie Davis, Katelynn Grupposo, and Layla Petillon said their product design would help reduce the number of people who felt unsafe.

“Our company is a jewelry brand with a lot more to it,” shared the team members. “We are looking for $150,000 in exchange for 10 percent equity of our company’s profits.”

The Stylish Safety Team said they planned to initially roll out rings, earrings, and hairpins that would come equipped with a discreet button mechanism. With a push of a button, users would have the ability to connect with to Stylish Safety app to alert designated authorities.

An added plus to the design would be the use of eco-friendly materials. The developers intend to work with manufacturers that recycle each metal and plastic used in their jewelry. The judges wanted to know if there was really a need for the product and how consumers would activate it when they began using it.

The team emphasized the safety concerns (Competition - See Page )

– Photos by Stephanie Faughnan

(Above) Team Stylish Safety of Manchester High School (in alphabetical order: Madison Cubbison, Mackenzie Davis, Katelynn Grupposo, and Layla Petillon) earned $3,000 as the top prize winner in the Sink or Swim competition. Their creation was jewelry that could contact authorities in an emergency. (Right) Team Huggle from Manchester High School secured third place and a $1,000 prize for their invention of a body pillow that hugged you back.

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26 and February 27. The wildfire was burning with a south wind and ran into the prescribed burn block, which stopped it in its tracks.

“If that wildfi re had crossed the road, it would have been a big deal,” Raynor said. “It could have posed a significant threat to Warren Grove.”

The area, located in the heart of the Pine Barrens, has a history of forest fi res that still haunt the memories of many locals. In addition, Warren Grove is recognized for its military bombing range, which has been linked to previous wildfi res, including a 2007 inferno. That wildfi re ravaged 18,000 acres of the Pinelands, prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate.

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are carefully planned and executed fi res set by fi refighters to remove fuel and grasses from specified areas. This helps to create a fi rebreak that can stop a wildfi re from spreading out of control.

Pine needles and dead and dry vegetation are among the things that can fuel a forest fi re. Controlled burns are conducted before the spring fi re season from March 15 to May 15.

“We do the prescribed burns when the leaves are off the trees, and it’s the cooler months,” explained Raynor. “It’s when the weather is working in our favor, which means taking into account humidity and other factors.”

On an annual basis, fi refighters strategi- cally conduct approximately 2,000-3,000 acres of controlled burns from Barnegat to Bass River. Statewide, prescribed burns cover more than 20,000 acres of land. Firefighters typically return to an area every five to seven years to set up designated blocks. Controlled burns are generally scheduled between October 15 through March 15.

“We get extended on a case-by-case basis based on fi re danger,” shared Raynor. “The extension is day by day, typically until April 1. After that, we’re well into fi re season, and our primary objection at that point is wildfi re suppression.”

A prescribed burn turned out to be advantageous in controlling the Spring Hill Wildfi re in Woodland Township on March 31, 2019. As the wildfi re swept through 9,021 acres of the Pinelands, embers were carried by strong winds into other areas. As a result, some fortunately landed in the region that had undergone controlled burns just a few days prior.

“The prescribed burns are done around ignition sources,” Raynor said. “That way any future wildfi res that might want to come out can’t get out of there.”

One example would be setting up a controlled burn around a campground, where people might light campfi res. Prescribed burns are also initiated near communities where lives and property could be at risk. As the days get warmer and the wind picks up, it becomes more dangerous to conduct controlled burns. The fact that leaves have not yet fully grown back on trees and other plants can accentuate the problem.

According to Raynor, the sun’s rays pene- trating the bare tree canopy cause the forest floor to be preheated. As a result, any form of ignition, including a controlled burn, could potentially ignite a ferocious blaze. Additionally, winds can exacerbate the fi re, causing it to spread rapidly.

The concept of backfiring in fighting wildfi res is something entirely different. Firefighters use this tactic to burn out fuels between the main body of the fi re and a control line. This has nothing to do with the supposition that a prescribed burn has somehow failed.

“We use torches to light the fi re when the fi re is too intense for us to put it out with water,” Raynor said. “We burn out the fuels ahead of the main fi re, which prevents its spread and should contain the wildfi re.”

The investigation into the Jimmy’s Waterhole Fire, which burned 3,809 acres in Manchester on April 11, is ongoing. However, authorities have indicated that backfi res helped bring the fi re under control.

A prescribed burn in the area four years ago also contributed to stopping the further spread of the fire in Manchester. The Jimmy’s Waterhole Fire forced the evacuation of some area residents, but no one was injured.

Raynor suggested preparation is critical for people who may one day receive alerts to leave their homes because of wildfi res.

“Get ready, set, go,” reminded Raynor. “Have your bags packed and know that the ‘set’ means there’s a wildfi re nearby. Listen to your local officials, warnings or advice on evacuation. And once the ‘go’ comes, know we don’t take that lightly. When we say ‘go’ that means to evacuate.”