Residences at Vantage Point’s Big Idea Competition Winners!!!

Thank You to All Participants!

Based on the TV show ‘Shark Tank’, all Howard County High School students were invited to pitch their ‘Big Idea’ to us over the last several months. Thank you to all who submitted entries for our Big Idea Competition! Our resident panel of judges chose the top 4 ideas to compete on Saturday, April 5th, 2025.

It was a huge success. We would like to congratulate all 4 winning teams.

Congratulations to the Winners

• 1st Place: Team ‘Game Changers: Engineering an Inclusive Gaming Experience for All’ from Reservoir High School

  Team members Cheren Song, Jonathan Ye, Neil Chibber, Tam Vo and Ife Adeleye created an inclusive gaming controller tailored for individuals with physical disabilities and limited dexterity. Using a 3D-printed design and an Arduino Leonardo board, their device provides accessible gaming with customizable controls and user-friendly software. Their idea stood out not only for its technical ingenuity, but also for its profound social impact—bridging the gap between accessibility and recreation. The team earned the $2,000 top prize and widespread admiration from both residents and judges alike.

• 2nd Place: Team ‘Menstrual Pilot Program in Howard County’ from Mount Hebron High School

  This team, consisting of Isha Ande, Katherine Zheng, Srisha Rangini, Ahana Roy and Tanvi Anand, tackled menstrual equity head-on. Their proposal for a pilot program to provide free menstrual products in high-traffic Howard County public buildings impressed judges with its clarity, social consciousness and feasibility. Already in talks with local officials and advocacy groups, this team demonstrates what grassroots change can look like – starting with compassion and courage.

• 3rd Place: Team ‘Dermalock: Integrating Safety with Reliability’ from Mount Hebron High School

  Team members Yashika Reddy and Joe Phelps submitted Dermalock, a wearable device designed to detect blood alcohol levels transdermally and prevent impaired driving. Their thoughtful blend of biotechnology and public safety certainly addresses a critical issue with a practical, data-driven solution that aims to save lives.

• 4th Place: Team ‘Clean CritAir Small Pet Habitats: Helping Pet Owners Breathe Easier’ from Marriotts Ridge High School

  Dev Gadhia, working independently, set out to support pet owners and their families who live with allergies or asthma. His innovative solution, Clean CritAir, features a small pet habitat enclosed in a clear glass terrarium equipped with a custom MERV air filter. Unlike traditional wire cages, this sealed design keeps dust, dirt and debris contained—improving air quality both for pets and for their people.

The judges were residents who have had distinguished careers in government, industry, science, engineering, and education.This was an opportunity for students in their home County to demonstrate how they can contribute to society through their innovation and ingenuity. *cash prize were distributed evenly amongst team members.

Thank You to everyone who participated and sponsored the students “Big Ideas”. There was great interest and turn out for the final competition and event. We look forward to many other great ideas to promote the next generation.