After months of developing concepts, conducting research, and finalizing presentations, several McHenry County high school students stepped into the spotlight at McHenry County College's Entrepreneurship Pitch Night on Monday, May 10 to present their business ideas before a panel of judges.
The competition brought together students enrolled in MCC's BUS160 Introduction to Entrepreneurship dual credit courses, showcasing the result of a semester spent creating ideas and building business plans. The event provided students with an opportunity to present their concepts in a professional setting while demonstrating the entrepreneurial skills they developed throughout the course.
"Entrepreneurship is about identifying opportunities, solving problems, and communicating ideas effectively," said Sherry Ridge, instructor and department chair of the Business Management and Marketing programs at MCC. "It's rewarding to see students take concepts they've developed throughout the semester and confidently present them in a professional setting."
Students from Cary-Grove High School presented Stryde Spray, an eco-friendly protective spray designed for athletic shoes. Harvard High School pitched PureLash, a clean-formula tubing mascara, and Crystal Lake Central High School introduced LaxShades, a protective sunglasses insert designed specifically for lacrosse goggles.
Judges evaluated each team on the strength of its product concept, the problem it solves, identification of a target market, marketing strategy, financial projections, and overall professionalism.
When the final scores were tallied, Cary-Grove High School earned first place, while Crystal Lake Central finished second and Harvard High School placed third. Harvard's team also received the People's Choice Award, selected by audience members attending the event.
This year's competition carried special significance as it was officially renamed in honor of Mike Domek, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist whose support helped strengthen entrepreneurship education throughout McHenry County. Domek, who passed away in June 2025, served as a judge for numerous student pitch competitions and was a passionate advocate for innovation, leadership, and hands-on learning opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
To recognize his lasting impact, the Entrepreneurship Pitch Night committee and local high school instructors collaborated to dedicate the event in his memory. Members of the Domek family attended the competition and presented awards to the student winners, while Mike's sister, Jody Domek McGuire, joined the judging panel.
The event reflects MCC's ongoing partnership with area school districts through the county's Dual Credit program, which enables high school students to earn college credit while taking courses in their high school classrooms. Eight McHenry County high schools currently offer MCC's BUS160 Introduction to Entrepreneurship course.
In addition to entrepreneurship, MCC's Business Management and Marketing Departments provide dual credit opportunities in Introduction to Business, Principles of Marketing, and Principles of Social Media Marketing.
