Parker Foundation Sponsors STEM Pitch Contest at GMHS

The Carolyn E. Parker Foundation presents Great Mills High School with a donation for the Pitch for Your Pocket STEM competition. In the front row from left are Angela Hou, Amber Cunningham, LaToya Carroll, GMHS Principal BeeJay Dothard, and Adrienne Somerville of the Naval Air Systems Command and the foundation. In the back row are Steve Doragh, Aarav Sharma, Braden Gutekunst, Rishi Sheth, Owen Delwiche, and Evan Walsh.

Great Mills High School students competed in the Pitch for Your Pocket STEM competition sponsored by the Carolyn E. Parker Foundation.

It was a night filled with boundless potential, innovation, and hope as the student innovators brought their bold ideas to life.

The winners of the competition were:

• Evan Walsh (senior)
• Braden Gutekunst (senior)
• Owen Delwiche (senior)
• Abril Esparza (year 11)
• Angela Hou (year 11)
• Rishi Sheth (year 11)
• Aarav Sharma (year 11)

These individuals cumulatively walked away with $5,000 to help bring their vision to life, and more importantly, students received valuable mentorship to continue developing their projects.

The evening was not just about presentations; it was a celebration of the brilliance and resilience of the youth who showed up with passion, creativity, and confidence. As each student pitched their project, they revealed technical know-how and belief in their ability to shape the future.

While the funding is a milestone, the true victory lies in the competence, confidence, and recognition gained by each student.

“This was more than just a Pitch for Your Pocket STEM competition – it was an affirmation of what they are capable of contributing to our community,” said Adrienne M. Somerville, founder of the Carolyn E. Parker Foundation.

“Pitch night was truly inspiring. These students did not just deliver pitches, they delivered purpose, passion, and the promise of a better tomorrow. They are our future leaders, and their level-up time is now,” said Adrienne Somerville.

It Takes a Village

This inspiring initiative was made possible through the collaborative spirit of educators, mentors, and community leaders. Their insights and support helped shape an unforgettable evening.

Special thanks are extended to:

• Great Mills High School Principal BeeJay Dothard, whose leadership at the school continues to set the tone for student excellence.
• Latoya Carroll and Amber Cunningham, career advisers at the school, for their tireless work encouraging students to dream big and take bold steps.

An esteemed panel of judges and coaches, including:

• Ed Rule – Naval Systems Inc. (NSI)
• Sybol Anderson – Leadership Southern Maryland
• Steve Doragh – Naval Air Systems Command
• Michele DeMoss-Coward – Coach
• Sam Coward – Coach

About the Foundation

Founded in honor of a trailblazer in her own right, Carolyn E. Parker, the foundation continues to champion young minds in STEM and mentoring, especially those often underrepresented in the field. Through events like Pitch for Your Pocket, the nonprofit foundation creates opportunities for students to be seen, heard, and invested in.

A Call to Action

As the excitement from these awards lingers, Somerville encourages community members to get involved: “Let this be your invitation to join us – as a sponsor, a coach, or simply an advocate for the next generation. The power to shift their paradigm and shape their trajectory is in our hands.”

Once again, the Carolyn E. Parker Foundation has proven that when a community comes together to believe in its youth, the result is nothing short of transformational.

For more information about upcoming events or to get involved, visit www.carolyneparkerfoundation.org or contact Adrienne Somerville, president, Carolyn E. Parker Foundation Inc., PO Box 91, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Phone: 240-577-5753. Email: [email protected]

The Patuxent Partnership is a valued resource for the community on educational opportunities. Its STEM-Link includes information on STEM activities throughout the region.