Lehighton High School’s Future Business Leaders of America club won the 2024 Innovator of the Year Award at the Region 21 Leadership Workshop held recently at East Stroudsburg University. This was the second year in a row that Lehighton won the distinction.

This award recognizes students who present a fresh and innovative business idea, demonstrating entrepreneurial thinking with viable solutions for the community and beyond.

The workshop provided aspiring young entrepreneurs with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, connect with business professionals, and showcase their innovative ideas.

The event began with a networking breakfast sponsored by Lorna J. Hunter, Ph.D., vice president of enrollment management. The students were welcomed by Dr. Hunter; Patrice Dume, director of the business accelerator and entrepreneurship; and Sylvester E. Williams, dean of the College of Business and Management.

Lehighton’s business concept, “Mountain Mapper,” aims to improve safety, enhance traffic flow, and assist in locating missing persons and equipment in real time.

“The level of creativity and problem-solving displayed by these young leaders is truly inspiring,” said Dume. “The Mountain Mapper idea showcases the potential students have to make a significant impact, not only in business but within the community.”

The “Made in the Poconos” Business Pitch Competition, featured teams from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain East, Pocono Mountain West, Stroudsburg, and Weatherly high schools along with the Jim Thorpe LB Morris and Jim Thorpe Penn Kidder middle schools competing for the 2024 Innovator of the Year Award. Judges were Dr. Williams; Doug Engler, regional manager to Lehigh Valley, for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania; and Leigh Fennie, business consultant at the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center; the competition showcased talent and creativity.

Dume moderated a panel discussion featuring: Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau; Jonathan Weber ’14, founder and CEO of Marathon Studios Inc., AbuselPDB LLC, and TickCheck LLC; and Alexa Villafana, a student entrepreneur and creative director of Network Exchange Magazine.

The workshop was attended by 79 students and 13 school advisers from 10 regional schools. ESU has hosted the FBLA Region 21 Leadership Workshop since 2016.