Douglas students swim with mock sharks

Douglas High School students had the opportunity to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills with their own version of the hit television show “Shark Tank.”

The mock “Shark Tank” is part Trent Tietje’s Business Management & Marketing classes where students present their ideas  in front of classmates and judges in hopes of gaining support, feedback for possible business ventures, and a good grade.

Students’ ideas ranged from Go Karts and sports apparel to gluten free cookies, a restaurant with a nutritional menu and soil consultants.

The winning business was Senior Cole Taunton’s “Golden Soil,” a soil consulting company that helps farmers grow and maintain crops, and raise livestock in order to encourage local and homegrown food.

“I applaud your talents and making it into something that can support you,” said Douglas County School Board Trustee Katherine Dickerson.

Dickerson was one of “the Sharks” along with school board trustee Susan Jansen, Sierra Vet Clinic’s operations manager Steve Kiley, Pulse Fitness’ Operation Manager Emma Petersen, local music talent and UNR business student Jakota Wass, Main Street Gardnerville program Director Jen Nalder, Chairman of Carson City Redevelopment Authority Court Cardinal, and Stor-All owner Todd Whear.

“All you guys who want to go out there and start things, I applaud you and where you are going,”  said Cardinal.

The business class is part of the Career Technical Education program offered at Douglas High School which provides students with a variety of applicable, real-world skills that will aid them in their journey through college, the workplace, entrepreneurship and many future endeavors.