TA News

Photo courtesy of the University of Vermont

Thetford Academy seniors Elie O’Brien and Hardy Payson, and Elie’s sister Penelope, earned third place in the University of Vermont’s “Vermont Pitch Challenge.” Now in its second year, the Pitch Challenge “gives high school entrepreneurs from across the globe the chance to pitch innovative businesses that make a difference in their communities, all while competing for cash prizes and scholarships to the University of Vermont.”

Elie, Penelope, and Hardy entered the contest with their pitch for “MIND” (Maximizing Inclusion for Neurodivergent Development), a social enterprise that provides “a comprehensive support system for neurodivergent individuals transitioning from high school to higher education or the workforce through workshops, mentorship, and training.”

The idea for MIND came from personal experience, Penelope shared in an interview with the Valley News. ““We’ve all had personal experiences with neurodiversity — each of us has a sibling who is neurodivergent, and in my case, I’m autistic myself. We wanted to create a not-for-profit business that directly addresses those challenges — not just for ourselves, but for others like us,” she continued.

The trio entered the contest alongside 140 other teams from across 28 states and 15 countries. After their first pitch, they were selected to move on to the finals, where they presented their students in UVM’s Entrepreneurship Club last week. TA’s team finished a strong third, earning a $5,000 cash prize from the University.

The experience, said Elie, was one she will cherish forever. “I would absolutely recommend applying to any student/students interested in entrepreneurship or making a positive social impact.”

Congratulations to Hardy, Elie, and Penelope, we can’t wait to see what you do next!