In the world of social entrepreneurship, a well-crafted pitch can make all the difference. It’s more than just a presentation—it’s a compelling story that connects, persuades and inspires. As students in Pine Crest School’s three-year social entrepreneurship program quickly learn, the key to a successful pitch lies not just in the data, but in the narrative.
Gabriel Duarte Rengifo ’25, Talia Sverdlik ’25, Mrs. Keri Kolettis, Mehak Gadh ’25 and Jake Weidenfeld ’25
Mehak Gadh ’25, a senior who has spent the past three years refining her pitch skills, describes it succinctly: “A pitch is essentially a way to present a business plan in about five minutes, covering the main points—what’s the problem, your solution, your product, any financials and, if applicable, the social impact.”
From competing in international competitions like the Diamond Challenge and the University of Vermont’s Pitch Challenge to engaging in classroom activities like “PowerPoint Karaoke,” Mehak and her classmates have immersed themselves in the art of pitching. The lessons learned go far beyond memorizing facts and figures—they’ve discovered that the true power of a pitch lies in its ability to tell a story.
According to Mehak, storytelling is “probably the most important aspect of any pitch.” This lesson became clear after competing in the Diamond Challenge during her sophomore year. “When we talked with the judges,” she said, “we realized that a huge issue was that our team lacked a storytelling component. We lacked any sort of connection to the problem we were addressing.”
Mehak Gadh ’25 and Jake Weidenfeld ’25
That realization transformed the way the team approached pitching. By junior year, they placed a stronger emphasis on personal connections. Their startup, PlayAR, was developed to enhance safety and training for athletes, particularly football players. PlayAR is a software tool that immerses athletes in game realistic scenarios using augmented reality (AR). The software allows athletes to play with an entire team of 22—alone. “Our storytelling component was that [teammate] Jake Weidenfeld ’25 is a football player on the Pine Crest football team, and he recognized certain issues. But we didn’t convey that well enough at first. By senior year, we made it clear from the start—Jake would immediately introduce himself as a football player to establish credibility and a personal stake in the problem.”
Gabe Duarte Rengifo ’25, another member of the PlayAR team, credits Jake’s role as a football player for adding authenticity to their pitch. “We really try to channel our entire product through him,” Gabe explained. “It’s not just that we have a football player on our team—it’s that Jake’s experience directly shaped our product’s development. In our pitch, we tell the story of how Jake had a bad season one year, which led him to approach us about improving his training methods. That emotional connection is crucial.”
Jonnie Green and Ade Ajayi from Meta, Jake Weidenfeld ’25, Talia Sverdlik ’25, Mehak Gadh ’25, Gabe Duarte Rengifo ’25, Dr. Patrick Schuermann and Adam Mangana from OptimaEd.
Gabe emphasizes that focusing on the emotional impact of their product helped make their pitch memorable. “Many people in the audience have some connection to football—whether they’ve played, know someone who plays or follow the sport. By highlighting Jake’s story, we created something relatable.”
Deciding what elements to emphasize in their pitch wasn’t always straightforward. “We debated a lot,” Gabe says. “Do we focus on safety? Performance? Ease of use?” Ultimately, they chose to focus on safety and performance—two aspects they felt resonated most with audiences. “We start our pitch by explaining that PlayAR is a football training software that uses augmented reality to improve player safety and performance. By narrowing our focus, we made the pitch clear and impactful.”
Their commitment to authenticity extended beyond storytelling. “One of the biggest lessons we learned was that investors want to know you’re fully dedicated,” Gabe adds. “In our most recent pitch, we spent a good 20 seconds emphasizing that we’re committed to continuing PlayAR even after we graduate. One judge even told us that was a deciding factor in why they believed in our idea.”
Mrs. Keri Kolettis, Vice President of Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship and leader of Pine Crest’s Social Entrepreneurship program, emphasizes the critical role of storytelling in building confidence for pitching. “The most important skill in pitching is the ability to distill complex ideas, principles or methodologies into a compelling and accessible narrative,” she explains. “Storytelling isn’t just about conveying information; it’s about capturing hearts and inspiring belief. When you tell a powerful story, you’re not just presenting an idea but inviting others to see its impact and believe in its potential.”
She encourages students to embrace humility and adaptability in their storytelling. “We incorporate acting and improvisation exercises like PowerPoint Karaoke to push students beyond their comfort zones,” she explained. “I create a slide deck filled with random images, themes and concepts; students have no idea what will appear next, but they have to pitch it on the spot. They might see a pink elephant, a kitten lifting weights or an empty graph, and they must craft a compelling story in real time. The goal is to help them get comfortable with uncertainty, think on their feet and deliver a message that resonates. Storytelling isn’t just about what you say; it’s about owning the moment, making an impact and inspiring others to believe in your vision.
Mrs. Kolettis recalls how Gabe and Talia Sverdlik ’25, the tech developers of the PlayAR team, overcame their initial discomfort with pitching. “In their first year, they hesitated to speak, often shrinking back and letting others take the lead. But through practice and refinement, they transformed. They mastered the art of breaking down complex VR/AR concepts, learning to communicate them with clarity, confidence and a sense of pride.”
She notes that the team’s growth didn’t come without challenges. “In their second year, PlayAR fell short of the finals. The judges felt they weren’t ready for the market. But instead of stopping there, they doubled down, refining their pitch, expanding their play library and seeking insights and technical support from industry professionals at Meta (the parent company of the Quest VR headsets used by PlayAR, and Pine Crest faculty), Optima (VR developers and consultants for educators field) and the National Football League (NFL). Their persistence and commitment to growth paid off and made all the difference for their venture. They secured their first sale and built a dynamic six-person team, bringing together experts in technology, content editing, sales, 3D modeling and instructional AI. With this expertise, PlayAR’s innovation will continue to evolve, refining its capabilities and accelerating its impact on sports training and education for athletes.”
PlayAR earns first place at the 2025 Diamond Challenge
For those looking to refine their own pitch, Mehak and Gabe share similar advice: keep it clear, concise and emotional. “Open with a strong statistic,” Gabe suggests. “Something that immediately grabs attention. Then tie everything back to your story. People remember the emotional connection more than the technical details.”
Ultimately, the heart of a strong pitch lies in passion and authenticity. “If you don’t love what you’re doing, it’s going to sound like you’re just reciting a script,” Mehak says. “But when you really care, it shows.”
Both students credit Mrs. Kolettis for reinforcing that idea. “People invest in people,” Gabe recalls her saying. “You could have an amazing product, but if your story doesn’t connect, it’s not going to succeed.”
That belief has helped Pine Crest students hone their storytelling skills—and craft pitches that leave a lasting impression.