Karina Trivedi walked away from the third annual Civic Pitch Night Wednesday with $1,000 as seed money for a summer youth internship and volunteer program for middle and high school students, and with congratulatory hugs from her sisters.
“I feel really excited,” Karina, an eighth grader at Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso, said of her first place win. “I’m ready to move this plan forward. I love helping people and I cannot wait to get started.”
Karina was one of four applicants in this year’s program, sponsored by Valparaiso NEXT as a forum for fielding plans to make Valparaiso a better place.
Applicants for the Civic Pitch Night submitted Google forms with their general plan, whether or not they were part of an organization, and how the idea connected to the ValpoNEXT vision.
“Once they turn in the Google form, we determine which ones connect to our vision for the community, and those go on to the Civic Pitch Night,” said Emily Whited, marketing and business coordinator for ValpoNEXT.
Almost 50 residents voted for their favorite pitch during the program, held at Butterfield Pavilion, and selected Karina’s project as the winner.
“We would be making a newsletter that would be posted around town with information about volunteering and job opportunities with local businesses,” Karina said. “We are also going to create a website to list different opportunities for the students.”
Second place winner Sue Hord received $500 toward neighborhood engagement signs in the College Hill neighborhood.
“We are in a historic and beautiful neighborhood,” said Hord, who explained that there is a very active neighborhood association that meets monthly and has been responsible for many improvements.
“There are residents in our neighborhood who do not have Wi-Fi, computers, or smartphones,” said Hord. “What we would like to do is buy yard signs to let neighbors know of monthly meetings and other activities.”
Also pitching her idea was Susie Young Baxter, of PanoramaNow, who wants to have an open mic night for all ages on a Saturday night.
“This will encourage and nurture young people’s creativity,” said Baxter. “They can include poetry, spoken word, storytelling, improv, karaoke, songwriting, dancing, as well as visual arts on display.”
“This can also be a family entertainment night to enjoy together,” said Baxter. “This being all ages we can have seniors and retired people and look forward to performing, as well as school-age children.”
Also throwing out a pitch was Ashley Kruse, a member of the Memorial Elementary School PTO who has lived in Valparaiso with her family for 10 years.
Her idea was for a natural habitat and outdoor classroom at Memorial, which would include flexible seating, sensory garden, rain garden, composting, as well as native plants, flowers and trees.
“An outdoor classroom is not just an exciting place for learning to take place, it’s a haven for nurturing of minds, and a dedicated spot to protect our natural resources.”
Kruse also announced that the Valparaiso Community Schools were moving forward with plans for outdoor class environments as early as next year. “I feel like I already won.”
Spencer Skinner, ValpoNEXT president, said that he was glad that even though last year’s pitches did not all receive the cash prize, they did all carry their ideas through. “I am hopeful that the same thing happens this year.”
“If you have an idea to make the city of Valparaiso a better place than it already is, reach out to us,” said Skinner. For more information, visit www.valponext.org.
Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
