Arlington ISD Students Win Big With Big Ideas

Nearly 1,400 Arlington ISD students were celebrated virtually Friday afternoon for coming up with a big idea for the annual What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest.

These third-through-eighth graders were honored by the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Partners In Education Committee for demonstrating the best entrepreneurial spirit through their big idea.

From the 1,400 finalists who represented 38 of Arlington ISD’s 54 elementary campuses and eight of 10 junior high campuses, 30 overall winners were chosen and recognized. First-, second- and third-place winners for grades 3-8 were announced for the essay contest, while first-, second- and third-place winners for grades 3-6 were announced for the art contest. The top winners are listed below.

“I am inspired by the ingenuity and creativity shown by our students every year in the What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest, and this year is no different,” Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. “Thank you to the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and other community partners who continue to engage and inspire our students to come up with the next big idea.”

Students are normally celebrated at the University of Texas at Arlington’s College Park Center but the ceremony was changed to a virtual one due to closures and social distancing guidelines because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That didn’t mean the students were celebrated any less. During the virtual ceremony, congratulatory remarks were given by radio-TV personality and Arlington ISD alum Rock-T, Cavazos, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Michael Jacobson, and Arlington ISD principals.

“Entrepreneurship is what separates a good city from a GREAT city. We are so lucky and proud to recognize Arlington as a GREAT city! We have created the best and largest curriculum-based entrepreneurship contest in the country through our community partnerships,” Jacobson said. “It’s inspiring to see the future of our city through the ideas of our AISD students. Each contest finalist has the potential to play an integral part in the growth and success of Arlington and the great state of Texas.”

Watch the Virtual What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest Awards Ceremony here:

2020 What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest Top Winners: