Hagerstown, MD (May 22, 2020) – Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), in partnership with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, announced the winners of the 5th annual Aspiring Entrepreneurs Competition on Zoom Wednesday night, May 20, 2020. Zaccharia Sohrab, a senior at Boonsboro High School, won for the second year with his pitch for Edif.AI, an online platform that uses machine learning to provide personalized education and accredited courses to students. Last year, Sohrab won the Aspiring Entrepreneurs top prize with Health.AI, and he plans to launch an internet service this summer.

The graduating senior appreciates the collaboration that made the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Competition a reality, and shares, “It is such a great opportunity for students to dip their toes into the business world and find not just who they are, but their passions and skills as well.”

Second place went to a team of juniors from North Hagerstown High School, Yousuf Qaum and Jeremy Calcarian. Their business, Q & C: Empowering, focuses on providing opportunities for students to empower themselves and give back to their community. They pitched a transportation system to overcome a barrier students face in pursuing employment.

Gabby Ryder, a junior at Washington County Technical High School, earned third place with STOP Stigma. A nonprofit, STOP Stigma is geared towards mental health awareness, which serves as a source of education, normalization and connectivity for youth across Washington County and Maryland.

The Aspiring Entrepreneur Finale attended by families, mentors and sponsors plus WCPS teachers and administration, included the viewing of the finalists’ videos. Scholarships of $1,000, $700 and $300 were made possible through the generosity of CNB Bank, Ewing Oil and the HighRock Group. All of the finalists have bright futures and Washington County can look forward to the impact of these emerging leaders. 

The WCPS Aspiring Entrepreneurs Competition represents a partnership between the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Washington County Public Schools. The process is designed to inspire and support the curiosity, creativity and achievement of young entrepreneurs in our community. Students may submit an invention, product or service concept for a chance to win a scholarship. Along the way, students will gain valuable real-world experience by seeing their passions, ideas and creativity take shape and launch them into their future.