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[Page H5080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING PARTICIPANTS OF THE 2019 PITTCHFEST
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the
participants of the 2019 PITTchFEST, which was held in conjunction with
this year's Showcase for Commerce in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The event is designed to support the next generation of great ideas
in Cambria County and the Allegheny region. The Shark Tank-style
competition was created as a way for local entrepreneurs to present
their innovative ideas and creations to potential investors. Programs
like these are essential to attracting new businesses and a skilled
workforce to our region.
One of the competition's categories is specifically for students at
the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. These students are a part of
the summer accelerated program with PITTchFEST, which is used as a
launchpad for their work.
This year's top student entrepreneurship teams included
Smarchitecture, led by Alex Schork. This team project provides
architects, designers, and artists the ability to render digital
imagery that can be instantly shared and edited with clients in real
time.
Skill Spirit was led by Ben Wargo. This team developed an incremental
learning app that provides incentives and rewards for learning new
languages.
Supernal Siesta was led by Laura Johnson. Laura's team focused on
helping women manage hot flashes and the effects of menopause by
creating a fashionably created mattress with the technology to cool and
provide for a full night's sleep.
For the third year, PITTchFEST also included the social
entrepreneurship category, which highlights incredible efforts and
ideas for building vibrant communities. The top teams in this category
included the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy team, which is developing
plans to expand the Path of the Flood Trail, which would be the first
safe and easily followed bicycle route from downtown Johnstown to the
historic Little Conemaugh River gorge.
The Central Park Square/Gallery on Gazebo team aims to promote the
arts in downtown Johnstown.
The Friends of the Inclined Plane Trails team is planning the
Inclined Plane Riverside Park, which will include zip lines and a
downhill mountain-biking course.
The three finalists in each category received a cash award that
supports their innovations. The judges for PITTchFEST represented
various aspects of the community, including social agencies, private
industries, advocacy groups, and higher education.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the sponsors of
PITTchFEST who made the event possible, including Ben Franklin
Technology Partners, Cambria Regional Chamber, Community Foundation for
the Alleghenies, Croyle-Nielsen Therapeutic Associates, Enterprise
Venture Capital Corporation of PA, Entrepreneurial Alchemy, JARI, JWF
Industries, and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
PITTchFEST was a tremendous success, as it showcased the community
spirit and the innovative minds of the greater Johnstown region.
As their motto proclaims, they are: ``Growing Great Ideas Right in
Our Backyard.''
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