Aspiring Youth Academy Celebrates Extraordinary Teen Entrepreneurs at the 2025 “Aspire to Pitch!” Competition

PHOENIX, AZ — The Aspiring Youth Academy (AYA) proudly hosted the 2025 “Aspire to Pitch!” Teen Pitch Competition on Saturday, October 4, at the Phoenix Country Club, bringing together families, educators, and community leaders to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Arizona’s youth.

The annual event highlights AYA’s mission in action—empowering Arizona teens to turn ideas into opportunities. This year’s competition drew applications from high school students across the state, and five outstanding teen entrepreneurs were selected through a competitive review process for their innovation, leadership, and vision to make an impact through business.

Not Just a Competition — A Launchpad for Growth

Aspire to Pitch! is not just a one-day event, but the culmination of weeks of mentorship, preparation, and community support. Two students enrolled in AYA’s Mentorship Program prior to the competition, spending hours working on their pitches alongside dedicated AYA mentors.

All finalists were also invited to attend a special “Pitch Ready: Performance and Public Speaking” Workshop led by facilitators Raejean Alcala and Diana Resendiz the weekend before the big event, designed to help them gain confidence, connect with their message, and express their ideas with emotion and authenticity.

This holistic approach ensured every student stepped onto the stage not just with a business plan—but with belief in their own voice, presence, and potential.

Meet the 2025 Finalists

Aaradhya Panda – The Code Hatch (First Place, $2,500 Award)
Elizabeth Young – Immersion (Second Place, $1,000 Award)
Olina Fong – EcoJoy Stationery (Crowd Favorite, $500 Award)
Yamily Macias – SinerelYours (Finalist & Honorable Mention, $250 Award)
Ojal Parimisetty – YouthLink (Finalist & Honorable Mention, $250 Award)

Each finalist presented their original business idea—ranging from sustainability and stationery design to youth technology and community connection—to a live audience of more than 50 attendees and a panel of esteemed judges.

Their creativity, professionalism, and passion for creating positive change left the audience and judges deeply inspired. Every student delivered their pitch with confidence, originality, and heart—showing that the future of entrepreneurship in Arizona is already here.

“Each of these students did an extraordinary job,” said Ashley Woodburn, Program Manager at Aspiring Youth Academy. “They absolutely blew us away with their creativity, courage, and professionalism. Aspire to Pitch! is an opportunity for students to enhance themselves, build confidence, and discover new pathways to their dreams—all while being surrounded by a community that believes in them and stands ready to support their growth.”

Teen finalists share their innovative business ideas before an audience of community leaders and mentors.

Community Engagement: A Shared Investment in Youth Leadership

Over 50 attendees filled the room, cheering and voting to help select the Crowd Favorite Award.

The audience played a vital role in the day’s success, demonstrating the power of community support for Arizona’s next generation of innovators. Attendees were encouraged to engage with each teen’s business concept, cast votes for the Crowd Favorite Award, and celebrate the courage and creativity of every participant.

By showing up, listening, and cheering on these young leaders, attendees helped give students a real-world platform to present their ideas and experience what it means to be seen and supported by their community. Their participation reflects AYA’s belief that when a community invests in youth, it invests in its own future.

AYA was also proud to welcome three teen entrepreneurs from the Boys & Girls Clubs AZ YouthForce – Bayless Entrepreneurship Program, who took part in this year’s competition. This partnership provided an incredible opportunity for students to expand on what they’ve learned through YouthForce and continue developing their business and leadership skills through AYA’s programs. It’s a shining example of how Arizona’s youth organizations can work together to create a powerful pipeline of innovation and opportunity for teens statewide.

Recognizing Teen Achievement & Lifelong Opportunity

Winners celebrate after receiving awards and mentorship opportunities from AYA’s partners and sponsors.

In addition to their cash awards, each finalist received exclusive opportunities designed to nurture continued learning, confidence, and leadership, including:

One-year membership to First Tee – Phoenix, offering leadership development through the sport of golf.
A one-hour VIP coaching call with one of the event judges for personalized mentorship.
Invitation to AYA’s year-long Mentorship Program for continued support.
Professional headshots to elevate college and career portfolios.
A feature on AspireCast, AYA’s teen podcast amplifying youth voices.
Admission to AYA’s Spring Break Innovation Camp in Prescott (March 7–10, 2026) — four days of entrepreneurship workshops led by ASU’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, paired with camp adventures and team-building activities.

Through AYA’s partnership with Marisol Credit Union, all finalists also received financial education resources and support to open teen-friendly bank accounts, empowering them to manage their seed funding responsibly and begin building financial literacy and credit early.

Celebrating Collaboration, Mentorship, and Community Partnership

Judges from across Arizona’s business and nonprofit sectors used a detailed scoring rubric to evaluate each student’s pitch presentation, providing valuable feedback, insights, and encouragement.

AYA extends heartfelt gratitude to this year’s distinguished panel of judges for their mentorship, time, and encouragement:

Crystal Waltman – Athlete, Author, Speaker
Erin McDonough – CEO, First Tee-Phoenix
Sean McGraw – Founder & CEO, FOR Energy, 40 Under 40, 5× Inc. 5000 Entrepreneur
Kim Reynolds – Emcee, ASU J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute

AYA also recognizes the invaluable contributions of its partners and sponsors, whose belief in youth empowerment continues to fuel the Academy’s mission:
NBA Foundation, ASU J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, AZ YouthForce, First Tee-Phoenix, 20-30 Club of Phoenix, and Marisol Credit Union.

“When teens see their ideas valued by real-world professionals, something transformative happens,” said Bridget Costello, Executive Director of Aspiring Youth Academy. “They gain the confidence to take up space, share their voice, and see themselves as leaders. That’s where lasting change begins.”

AYA also extends special thanks to the Phoenix Country Club and their phenomenal staff for hosting this year’s event and luncheon, providing an inspiring environment for students to shine.

Community, creativity, and connection — the heart of the 2025 Aspire to Pitch! experience.

Event Photography by Eli von Stubendorf. Visit the full event gallery here.

About Aspiring Youth Academy

Aspiring Youth Academy (AYA) is a Phoenix-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing high school students for success through experiential programs in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership, and community impact.

Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and collaboration with schools, universities, and community partners across Arizona, AYA ignites the entrepreneurial spirit in teens—empowering them to dream boldly, think critically, and lead with purpose.

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