On June 30, 2025, Crete-Monee High School’s summer school students took center stage in a Shark Tank-style showcase, bringing bold ideas and creative problem-solving to life. As part of the STEAM program, students pitched innovative solutions to everyday challenges before a panel of expert “sharks.”
From smart fixes to ambitious global solutions, each student confidently presented their prototype, answered tough questions, and highlighted their ability to tackle real-world issues. The event blended fun with purpose, empowering students to turn their big ideas into meaningful action.
Presentations included:
- Maurice Randle, Owen Heidbrink, and Nicholas Golden on high-tech innovations for school safety.
- Wisneydji Merilien, Rocio Antuarez Carreno, and Reyna Morales with a robotic invention designed to tackle the Pacific’s garbage island.
- Santiago Querales, Gabriel Ruiz Carrillo, Adriana Palaez, and Ceasar Perez Carrasquel addressed global warming.
- Janae Davis, Mikaela Yepez Ullauri, Dreiver Quintero, and Isabela Perez Sepulveda presented solutions for the global clean water shortage.
- Kamryn Cannon with a one-of-a-kind school safety robot.
- Stephen Drew II and Damarious Butler tackled the issue of cyberbullying.
The panel of sharks—Lamont Holifield, Malory Nelson, Andrew Alexander, Tomasz Naglak, and Jeremiah Spacht—all brought years of educational expertise to the table, offering thoughtful feedback and encouragement.
To cap off the morning, 15 rising freshmen were honored with Certificates of Innovation, recognizing their creativity and forward-thinking ideas.