About 130 students in grades K-8 gathered at St. Brendan School in North Olmsted on April 5 for the annual diocesan STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art and mathematics) competition, presented by the diocesan Office of Catholic Education.
The theme for this year’s event was “Caring for God’s Creations.”
Jennifer Miroglotta, diocesan curriculum director, said 55 pitches were submitted for this year’s competition from 14 schools. Thirty finalists were chosen to compete in person on April 5 before a panel of judges consisting of sponsors and partners. In addition, Miroglotta said an Entrepreneur Fair was added to this year’s event. A dozen different entrepreneur groups, representing seven elementary schools, sold their products. “Proceeds from the products benefited some aspect of God’s creation,” she said.
(See photo gallery above.)
Three winners were chosen in each of the three grade categories, with team members receiving medals from Frank O’Linn, diocesan superintendent of schools.
K-2 winners were:
- First place: St. Brendan School, The Cookie Club; Julie Onacila, principal; Rachel Lammers, moderator
- Second place: St. Sebastian School, Akron, Lemonade for Sale! Help the Homeless; Anthony Rohr, principal; Betty Indriolo, moderator
- Third place: St. Sebastian School Vegetable Seeds Give-away
Grades 3-5 winners were:
- First place: Gesu School, University Heights, Bea’s Bee Garden; Regan Kazel, principal; Shelly Clary, moderator
- Second place: St. Christopher School, Rocky River, Composting Campaign; Mary Meler, principal; Molly Fuerst, moderator
- Third place: Gesu School, Sally the Switch Bag Scooter
Grades 6-8 winners were:
- First place: St. Sebastian School, Hygiene for the Homeless
- Second place: Holy Family School, Parma, Whiskers and Wonders; Dave Csank, principal; Kim Tenerowicz, moderator
- Third place: Incarnate Word Academy, Parma Heights, PAWS for Change; Steffany Congelio, principal; Anne Hribar, moderator
The following schools participated in the Entrepreneur Fair:
- St. Ambrose School, Brunswick, Lisa Cinadr, principal; Melanie Amentini, moderator: whimsical wind chimes
- Holy Family School, Parma: bracelets with positive messages, handmade soap and key chains, bracelets and magnets
- St. Bernadette School, Westlake: Mary Beth Sullivan, principal; Lisa Schilk, Lane Forthofer and Sara Butler, moderators: The Treasure Trove
- St. Jude School, Elyria, Molly Hibler, principal; Jen Bisesi, moderator: hospital cuddles, keychain allergies, Lil’ Jimbob the Depression Destroyer and paws of love hoodies
- Incarnate Word Academy: Anna’s Creations
- St. Brendan School: Sew Cool Bags
- St. Angela Merici School, Fairview Park, Lisa Whelan, principal; Frank O’Linn, moderator, Candles by the Wax Wizards.
Many of the entrepreneur teams ran out of their products and some were taking orders to be filled as new items were produced.
Judges for the pitch competition were Patrick O’Connor, Digital Academy; McKenna Corrigan, Office of Catholic Education; Greg Goth, Mater Dei Academy; Brianna Hill, Digital Academy; Stephenie Leffler, National Inventors Hall of Fame; Jeremiah Myers, Cleveland Museum of Art; Norm Potter, Structured Creativity Consulting; Katie Reolfi, S3 Technology and Paul Slusser, Digital Academy.
Sponsors for the event were Digital Academy Education Management System, S3 Technologies and the Knights of Columbus, North Olmsted Council 4731.
Refreshments were provided by Book the Cooks.
Winning STREAM teams received a $250 award to make their ideas a reality.
“You’re all winners,” Miroglotta told the teams, commending the students, teachers, parents, administrators, STREAM coordinators and others who helped the teams develop and present their projects.
O’Linn said the idea for the competition was “borrowed” from schools in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York. Over the years, the local competition transitioned to a pitch process so teams could come up with their own project rather than having everyone tackle the same theme.
The competition had a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned three years ago, Miroglotta said. This year drew the largest number of entries (55), she added. Each entry consisted of a video that was screened. The 30 finalists were selected from this larger group.
“We got some great ideas. The teams had to submit a form with their idea and had a chance to explain it and the good it would do,” she said. The same panel of judges reviewed all projects entered in their assigned grade level. Miroglotta said each team gave a 30- to 90-second presentation and answered questions from the judges for about five minutes.
Miroglotta said the Entrepreneur Fair was so popular that it will return next year.
She said the theme for next year’s STREAM competition will be decided after education officials and STREAM moderators meet early next fall. Information about the theme and timeline will be shared with the schools after that.
Miroglotta said St. Ambrose School volunteered to host the 2026 competition.
Click here to learn more about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cleveland.