FusioNextGen contest to award $5,000 for Birmingham bright ideas
The next great idea for the Magic City could be in the minds of Birmingham City Schools students and teachers. It could also be worth $5,000.
Summit Media Entertainment’s FusioNextGen is partnering with BBVA Compass, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United and others to find ways to make Birmingham shine even brighter.
FusioNextGen seeks Birmingham’s next bright idea in the minds of its high school students and teachers from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
But the competition organizers don’t want the idea to come from elected officials, business leaders or neighborhood organizers.
“We have great talent within our school district,” said Jànet Sharpe, Birmingham City Schools teacher. “We have some exceptional students with some very, very bright ideas.”
High school students and teachers are asked to submit their ideas in 300 to 500 words beginning with “Birmingham’s brighter future depends on” and then taking it from there.
The ideas can touch on image enhancement, economic development, education, health, food, entertainment, community involvement or any number of other topics. The BBVA Compass “10 Bright Principles” can also be used to shape the idea. They are:
- Know where you’re going.
- Dare to be you.
- Work to your strengths.
- Ask for help.
- Be fearless.
- Find success in failure.
- Challenge your status quo.
- Remember your roots.
- Show appreciation.
- Live bright.
“There’s nothing brighter than celebrating our next generation of leaders,” said Chuck Faush, president of Summit Media Entertainment.
The entries will be whittled down to the 25 best ideas each from students and teachers, with all making pitches to a panel of judges. The panel will select the six best ideas – three students and three teachers – who will be paired with mentors to help develop and refine the idea while preparing a final pitch before an audience to determine the winning student and teacher.
“It will sort of be like ‘Shark Tank’ meets ‘The Voice,’” Faush said.
Entries are due Jan. 17 with the top six selected after the live pitches in February and the final round with the top three students and top three teachers in May.
Faush said he anticipates the ideas that flow from Birmingham schools are going to impress judges and audiences when they are made public.
“Just stay tuned,” he said. “We’re bright right now, but we’re about to get even brighter.”
