After a week of learning and strategizing, Aberdeen High School students participated in what can only be described as an “electric” trade show in the school’s auxiliary gym at the culmination of Aberdeen Rotary Business Week, which is part of a statewide program.

Controlled chaos ensued when the judges, who hailed from local businesses and government, were introduced one by one and then turned loose with stacks of “cash” to invest in the businesses of their choosing. Teams of up to 15 students, who were dressed for success, proudly enticed the judges to their booths to display products and deliver pitches.

Spokespeople for all manner of products displayed confidence and maturity beyond their years as they tried to entice investors.

According to the official website, “Washington Business Week provides a hands-on, experiential environment that educates, empowers, and inspires a diverse group of high school students to recognize and achieve their potential. Business leaders, educators, high school students, and community volunteers teach and inspire one another to be responsible employees, employers and community members.”

Washington Business Week Executive Director Nick Quinlan said his organization has started Business Week events worldwide. Quinlan was impressed with the atmosphere at Aberdeen High School’s trade show.

“We started in 1976, and we helped create 25 other business weeks all around the world, but we were the first one,” Quinlan said. “It has so much energy, and the students are so excited to be here pitching. I am so impressed every year to see the change that happens throughout the week. Through being in charge of a company, they really learn how to be that mature person, how to be that person with authority and how to be a leader in a room like this.”

Many students didn’t wait for prospective investors to visit their booths and aggressive marketers wandered the gym looking for people to talk to and convince to hear a pitch.

Junior Micah Turpin said the judges should invest in her company, Oasis, because it “ensures the best product for our customers while keeping it at low prices.”

She said she enjoyed Business Week because of the collaboration with her fellow students.

“I love Business Week because I got to work with a bunch of people I’ve never met before, and find out their individual talents that come together to build great friendships,” Turpin said.

The students could only use office supplies, such as cardboard, construction paper, scissors, markers, etc., to construct their displays (some more elaborate than others).

Zach, Duratech’s product manager, said his company would launch an in-home nuclear fusion reactor to provide sustainable, clean energy that would replace fossil fuels and conventional nuclear power plants. He said Business Week is “one of the better things I’ve done in high school.”

Izzy pitched Pearbot, a waterproof in-home personal assistant that could diagnose medical issues, cook, drive, speak multiple languages, and lift more than 2,000 pounds for just $2,500. Izzy said of Business Week, “I find it very fun, and I’ve learned a lot from it.”

Aberdeen School District Co-Superintendent Lynn Green said Business Week is her favorite time during the school year.

“We’ve been doing Aberdeen Rotary Business Week since 2001 here at Aberdeen High School, and it is always my favorite week of the year. What you see is students grow from nervous on Monday, nervous about who they’ll be partnered with, nervous about the week to come to the trade show on Friday, a culminating event that’s electric,” Green said. “Learning some of those marketing skills, those interpersonal skills, 21st century skills, that’s really a huge part of Business Week, even more than learning things about business and business practices. It’s really more about coming together as a team, growing as individuals, growing with others, learning the importance of collaboration and communication and really helping students see their own skills and their own strengths and those of their teammates.”

Chris Vessey of Solan and Solan served as program chair for Aberdeen Rotary Business Week 2025. Throughout the week, 17 local business and civic leaders served as company advisors, and 18 community sponsors participated as well.

Grays Harbor County Administrator Sam Kim listens to a pitch.