Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio and Pizza Joe's partnered to host 233 students in the JA Innovation Challenge on Friday afternoon at Kent State University at Trumbull, 4314 Mahoning Avenue, NW, Warren.

Students from Bristol, Brookfield, Girard, Howland, Jackson-Milton, Lakeview, Liberty and Weathersfield at Seaborn Elementary participated in the challenge.

Throughout the competition, teams of students went through phases of production, including concept creation, market research, cost analysis and pitch perfection.

Teams then presented their final ideas to a panel of local business professionals in order to move onto the final round of the competition.

Seven teams were chosen to give their final pitch on stage to a filled auditorium and the Seminara family, including founder Joe Seminara: "Pizza Joe" himself. 

The team comprised of students from Seaborn Elementary created the 1st place pizza, named "Nacho Ordinary Pizza". Pictured below is Ainsley, Samantha, Allison, and Audrey with the poster the students created.

"Nacho Ordinary Pizza", made of barbequed pulled pork, tomato, jalapeno pepper and cheddar cheese will be made and sold at the students' local Pizza Joe's during a special community day later on in the year. The proceeds will go back towards the school.

The team that came in 2nd place were students from Girard Intermediate and named their pizza "Buttery Buffalo". The students pictured below include Zoey, Madison, Chris and Emma.

The last group of finalists that came in 3rd place were students from Bristol, naming their pizza "A Slice of Italy". The students pictured below include Kenney, Liam, Bradley, Logan and Jayce.