MARTIN NAMED STATE RUNNER UP IN TRUST YOUR CRAZY IDEAS CONTEST

Karr junior Jayda Martin statewide runner-up in Trust Your Crazy Idea Challenge
Posted on 03/26/2021

Edna Karr Junior Jayda Martin was named a runner up in the Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans’ Trust Your Crazy Ideas state competition on Friday, March 26.  She was the first public school contestant to compete in the state finals and will bring home $2,500 in scholarships for her and $2,500 for Karr.

“As my adrenaline began to rush, I watched with great optimism in my eyes as this poise, well-spoken and extremely confident young lady captivated the viewing audience and judges. Jayda truly embodies our core values, which is P.R.I.D.E (Perseverance, Reflection, Independence, Dignity and Empathy),” said Karr Administrator Edward Carter. “She did such a remarkable job, and we are extremely proud of her and her tremendous accomplishment. We considered her a winner once she entered the contest because it takes courage, commitment, effort, and investment to be awarded such an amazing honor.”

Jayda made history this spring by being the first public school student to win the local New Orleans competition, where she received $5,000 in scholarships, $2,500 for Karr, and free Chick-fil-A for herself for a year.

"Edna Karr is so proud of Jayda," said Dr. Tomika Washington, InspireNOLA Senior Manager of High Schools. "She truly showed the judges and student body her ingenious, confidence, and most importantly her PRIDE!"

The finalists were treated to a special message from Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, whose The Brees Dreams Foundation is the co-sponsor of the event.

“Congratulations to the finalists,” Brees said. “This year, we were working with some of the most engaged students we’ve seen in the last eight years. We are incredibly honored to share their work with you today They are the best of the best. We are very proud to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs. Keep trusting those crazy ideas.”

The Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge started in the Fall semester, with students creating a business plan, which they can then submit in order to be considered for a spot as a semi-finalist. More than 2,3000 students submitted ideas to the competition last fall, with 20 being selected as semi-finalists. today four teams faced off for the state title, which took place live virtually this year during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. 

[Read more about Jayda’s journey to state finals

The Finalists shared their pitch commercial and presented a live pitch deck, all of which was judged in real time by Joe Spell CEO Tides Medical; Maranda White, Owner of Octagon Media; Drew Mounton, Chief Innovation Officer, LSU Health-SHV; and Chris Salamone, Owner/operator Chick-fil-A Kenner. Judges were given three minutes to ask questions immediately after each pitch.

Jayda’s Crazy Idea was The Home Drone: The Next Level of Cleaning Technology, which brings in the next level of cleaning technology as the most affordable, unique way to clean and recycle both inside and outside areas. 

“Home Drone was designed to keep our city in mind when it comes to our greatest event, Mardi Gras, saving the city thousands of dollars and hours,” she said. “Let’s go green by being clean.”

The drone could be purchased or rented and includes a free subscription or a premium one at $20 per month. The machine includes attachment options, such as a rake, vacuum, and grabber as well as recycling bins.

“I’m pumped up from that video,” Mounton said, after viewing her commercial.

Spell called it a great pitch, and White said it was an “awesome presentation.”

Jayda’s competition pitched ideas ranged from social media to beauty products to bioengineered advertising. The winning product was for Clean Crate, an affordable and environmentally friendly beauty subscription service, where the products are formulated to fit customers’ needs, pitched by the team from Shreveport pitched. Additional products included Plan Pal, which provides a safe social-networking platform for adults, particularly college students who’ve relocated for school, to connect in a technology driven world from the Lafayette team, and Green Sky Ads, a bioengineered, solar-powered billboard that is made from a customized robot that will strategically cut grass in the form of certain ad design from the Baton Rouge team.

“Jayda is an inspiration to all of us,” said Jamar McKneely, InspireNOLA CEO. “She proved that determination and dedication can help you make history. I congratulate her on her success and for representing our school and our city with excellence. We expect great things from her in the future.”