Launch LaGrange Lauds Winners

Lakeland High School students swept the top three entries.

A high school student-designed irrigation system took the top prize at the first Launch LaGrange County Entrepreneur Competition. Organizers say they plan to hold the event again next year, and could turn it into a regional competition in the coming years.

Lakeland High School students swept the top three entries. Senior Cole Miller earned the top prize with his Millermatic Irrigation system, which is designed for smaller farms with the capability to connect directly to a residential well. He has received a $5,000 startup grant, scholarship offers from four area colleges, office space and membership to the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce.

The runner-up was sophomore AJ Dorough, who is developing an application that teachers users how to code and create apps. Third place went to the team of Kameron Combs, Manuel Rangel, Nolan Isaacs and Kyle Coalson for Bus Buddy. The app allows students and parents to track school buses.

Other finalists include:

Something Else Photography (Kayla Williams, Prairie Heights)
PencilPort (Christopher Janik and Trace Scoles, Westview High School)
Greenwater Enterprises (David Ernst, Dillon Pauck, Samuel Scott and Adam Wratcher, Howe Military Academy)
Dream_Flex (Jakub Kundzicz and Zachary Yanakeff, Howe Military Academy)
Fashion for a Future (Karey Haney, Westview High School)
Michiana Dog Training (Kalei Bollinger, Westview High School)