March 05, 2025
High school students from across northern Indiana pitched their best business and product ideas on Feb. 19 for Trine University’s annual Storm Tank competition.
The top prize went to a program that educates elementary school students about Type 1 diabetes.
The competition drew 50 project ideas from DeKalb, Garrett and Hobart high schools as well as the AMP lab at Electric Works in Fort Wayne. The top 20 projects moved on to the finals and the opportunity to present to a panel of judges.
Cash awards for Storm Tank are funded by a gift from Farmers State Bank.
Diabetes education, multimedia and horse tack
“True Blue,” by DeKalb High School students Lydia Yoder and Kyla La Rue, won the top prize of $1,250.
“True Blue” is an educational outreach program that visits elementary school classrooms. Presenters provide education on Type 1 diabetes through school programming, promotional merchandise and a self-published children’s book.
Second prize of $1,000 went to Garrett High School student Mahlan Dircksen for “Mahlan Media,” a business that offers photography and videography services, including drone capabilities.
Abigail Bisig from Hobart High School received the third prize of $750 for “Equi.”
Equi is an insert for a wagon designed to hold horse tack. It includes two racks that can hold different types of saddles. The insert lets equestrians who use the wagon to keep their tack and equipment clean and organized, while allowing them to go over different terrains they may encounter when they are moving their tack.
Finalists in the college and community category will pitch their projects to judges on April 16.
About Farmers State Bank
Founded in 1915 in Stroh, Indiana, Farmers State Bank is one of northeast Indiana’s leading financial institutions and the Home of Blue Button Banking. With corporate headquarters in LaGrange, Indiana, Farmers State Bank has been providing banking and financial services to both consumers and businesses for over 100 years. To learn more, visit GoFSB.com.
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