See Photos from the Event<\/a><\/p>\nThe\u00a0contest started 20 years ago in a single classroom at Parks Mall, when marketing teacher Deborah Blackner, now the district\u2019s career and technical education specialist, teamed up with a teaching partner to give Arlington ISD students a platform to share their ideas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started really small,\u201d Blackner said. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0just kept growing ever since.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0been crazy to see it grow and persist.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s BIG now. Last night, thousands of Arlington ISD students, educators, families, and community partners attended the awards ceremony for the inspiring 20th anniversary milestone.\u00a0What\u2019s Your Big Idea?\u00a0is the only event of its kind, and it\u2019s exclusively for Arlington ISD students. The contest is sponsored by the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, connecting student creativity with the business community.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0What\u2019s\u00a0Your Big Idea?\u00a0contest challenges students to identify real problems and propose meaningful solutions. Across grade levels and campuses, students presented ideas through essays or art that addressed everything from community needs and environmental challenges to technology, wellness, and education. Each project told a story \u2013 not just of innovation, but of curiosity and perseverance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of those unique student experiences that sets Arlington ISD apart,\u201d said Arlington ISD career and technical education coordinator Sara Mahoney. \u201cThe contest really gets students thinking outside the box and interested in entrepreneurship at an early age. It\u2019s so fun to watch these kids get inspired, come up with amazing ideas, and then get celebrated for creativity and ingenuity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Educators played a critical role in guiding students through the process, helping them refine their ideas while encouraging independent thinking and collaboration. Blackner continues to play a role in the event through the CTE department, helping students connect their ideas to real-world applications.<\/p>\n
The event also highlights\u00a0the importance of community partnerships, with local leaders and supporters lending their\u00a0expertise, time, and encouragement to help students see how their ideas connect to the world beyond school walls. The City of Arlington is one of the proud sponsors of the annual event. During the ceremony, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross proclaimed Feb. 4, 2026, as Entrepreneurship Day in recognition of the event’s 20th anniversary and the accomplishments of the student finalists.<\/p>\n
“By championing creativity, confidence and entrepreneurial thinking at an early age, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Arlington Independent School District are helping shape the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and community leaders,” the proclamation reads.<\/p>\n
As Arlington ISD reflected on 20 years of\u00a0What\u2019s Your Big\u00a0Idea?,\u00a0the anniversary served as both a celebration and a reminder of the district\u2019s mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor two decades, this program has encouraged students to think boldly, dream creatively, and believe that even the boldest ideas can become something real,\u201d said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. \u201cEach of you here today imagined a new business or invention, proving that innovation doesn\u2019t wait for adulthood \u2013 it starts early, right here in Arlington, Texas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After 20 years, one thing is clear \u2013 the best\u00a0idea of all is investing in students and\u00a0empowering\u00a0them to\u00a0dream big.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Congratulations to our\u00a0first-place\u00a0art and\u00a0essay\u00a0winners:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Art Winners:\u00a0
\n
\n3rd Grade:\u00a0Haven Hatcher, Ditto Elementary \u2013 Teacher Julie Lee\u00a0
\n4th Grade:\u00a0Drew Pratt, Pearcy STEM Academy \u2013 Teacher Ty Pogue\u00a0
\n5th Grade:\u00a0Olivia Bartoo, Hill Elementary \u2013 Teacher Nicole Fragosa\u00a0
\n6th Grade:\u00a0Devon Wordlaw, Pearcy STEM Academy \u2013 Teacher Robin Lage\u00a0
\n7th Grade:\u00a0Malachi\u00a0Brown, Boles Junior High \u2013 Teacher Sarah Grenier\u00a0
\n8th Grade:\u00a0Yasmin\u00a0Elsaad, Shackelford Jr. High \u2013 Teacher Sara Isbell\u00a0
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Essay Winners:\u00a0
\n
\n3rd Grade:\u00a0Trenton\u00a0Kuntschik, Butler Elementary \u2013 Teacher Kimberly Perry\u00a0
\n4th Grade:\u00a0Emma Martinez, Foster Elementary \u2013 Teacher Allyssa Karlen\u00a0
\n5th Grade:\u00a0Penny Crisafulli, Little Elementary \u2013 Teacher Emily Berrong\u00a0
\n6th Grade:\u00a0Josephine Tollefson, Butler Elementary \u2013 Teacher Lauren Kelso\u00a0
\n7th Grade:\u00a0Iza Garcia, Gunn Junior High \u2013 Teacher\u00a0Kowonia\u00a0Davis\u00a0
\n8th Grade:\u00a0Valentina\u00a0Deantunano, Gunn Junior High \u2013 Teacher Alex Allison\u00a0
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![\"Arlington](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/articles-arlington-isd-awards-2.jpg\"\/)
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\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Published on February 06, 2026
By Arlington ISD Communications In Arlington ISD,\u00a0students\u00a0are\u00a0inspired to\u00a0dream\u00a0BIG.\u00a0…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":185594,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[150,152,151],"class_list":["post-185593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arlington","tag-arlington","tag-arlington-headlines","tag-arlington-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=185593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Arlington](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/articles-arlington-isd-awards.jpg\" "\\"Arlington")
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