Business savvy

by Denise Forsberg
Pharos-Tribune staff writer

May 11, 2008 12:39 am

— A look of surprise came across Caleb Sedam’s face as he heard his name called.
Sedam was named the overall winner of the third annual “Inventors, Inventions, and You” program on Saturday during the Youth Entrepreneurial Fair.
The fair was hosted by SUCCEED, Stimulating Unlimited Cass County Entrepreneurs and Economic Development. Students gathered in the community room at Logansport Mall to explain their projects to others and show off all the hard work they have done over the eight week program.
A total of 15 students participated in the program, which was broken into two different sessions, one in the fall and the other in spring.
For Sedam, the after-school enrichment class was not about winning, but he was pleased with the outcome.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I worked hard. I wasn’t trying to win, I was just trying to do my best and have fun.”
Sedam’s invention, Tip No More, is a cup-holder device with a rubber-suctioned base, which attaches to flat surfaces. He said he thought of the idea because of his brother, who often knocks over cups at the table during dinner.
Second place was awarded to Rachel Sims for her Stove Top Saver, an alarm that sounds when a pot on the stove is close to boiling over. Sims said her mom gave her the idea when a pot boiled over and she said she wished she had something to warn her.
Brody Conner and Paulette Fry tied for third place Fry was recognized for her Wonder Dish, a device that makes pet owners aware of an empty dish by flashing lights. She thought of the idea because she was tired of having to check her dog’s bowl to see if it was empty.
As for Conner, the Easy Brush allows him to save time brushing his teeth. An applicator tube holds the toothpaste so it can easily be injected onto the brush.
Conner was pleased with his finish.
“I didn’t think I was going to get any place,” he said. “I’m excited.”
Each student received a $100 savings bond. Sedam also won a trophy and the other finalists got a certificate. The four top finishers will also have the opportunity to speak with a patent lawyer about patenting their projects.
Jan Bailey, executive director of Workforce and Economic Development at Ivy Tech, was impressed by all the projects.
“It has really gone well,” she said. “The children in the ‘Inventors, Inventions, and You’ have come up with some great inventions.”
Bailey said the program has allowed the students to look at problem solving, creative thinking and life-long thinking.
“They look at things differently now,” she said.
Each project was judged on certain criteria, including originality, research, display boards and presentations.
In addition to the grade-school level, two high school students also presented a business plan in their competition.
Steven A. Rohde won first place for his plan for a non-profit community center located in the former Big R building. With his plan, he won a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship to Ivy Tech.
R.J. Baker took second place for his Baker Veterinary Clinic business plan, which would serve pets and perform house calls for large farm animals. Baker was awarded a certificate and a $600 scholarship to Ivy Tech.
All the students were invited to the Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation luncheon on June 10 where business leaders will have the opportunity to talk with the students about their inventions.
Bailey called the program an important opportunity for not only students but also for the adults, whom she said can learn from the projects as well.
“Every year they are really creative,” Bailey said of the students. “I think it shows us we should work more with the students.”
Denise Forsberg can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.forsberg@pharostribune.com

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