CV Students Take Part in “Whatever It Takes” Pitch Session

Carmel Valley Students Take Part in “Whatever It Takes” Pitch Session

WIT, or Whatever It Takes, provides a college-level course for high school students where they learn entrepreneurship and leadership skills while designing, launching and growing social-impact projects.  Students earn college units through UCSD.  As part of the program the students have to go through Pitch Night, which is the night, the students pitch their ideas to real world entrepreneurs.

WIT exists to work with teens to create the next generation of social entrepreneurs and leaders.  They believe teens have creative and innovative ideas for how to improve our schools, communities and even the world.  These ideas deserve to be heard and WIT provides the platform to make that happen.  WIT understands that developing self-reliant, confident, productive teens improves communities and increases teens’ self worth and academic and social performance.

It is evident that teens that have gone through this program will go on to build businesses, create jobs and make the world a better place.  They exist for teens, believe in teens, and know that teens make the world a better place.  WIT also has a travel program; WIT Travel provides students (grades 9-12) the opportunity to design their own service trips.  These trips focus on “teen-volunteerism” and the importance of giving back while you travel.  Students have traveled to Los Angeles, Sacramento, New Orleans, and currently are planning trips to Washington, D.C. and Costa Rica.

If you are a teen who has ideas for how to improve your school, community and even the world …WIT is for you.  The course is offered to 9th-12th graders who think community service shouldn’t just be something you do 10 hours a year.  WIT wants innovative, passionate, creative, dedicated and just all around awesome teens who are ready to use their voice.  The class meets once a week for 2 hours at a UCSD Extension campus – usually 6pm – 8pm.  WIT has locations in Downtown, Carmel Valley, Mission Valley, University and Poway.  Upon successful completion of the course students receive 6 units and a transcript from UCSD. There is financial aid available for those that qualify.

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Name: Santiago Benito

School: Canyon Crest Academy

Dream: Santiago hopes to one day become a documentary film director and producer.  He also hopes to write and make Hollywood films.

Interests:  He enjoys reading almost as much as he enjoys writing; my favorite book is The Life of Pi by Yann Martel.  Santiago have had an interest in the art of cinema ever since he could remember.  From an early age, Santiago has been mesmerized by the beauty of the lines said and the actors on the big screen.  While many kids have a hard time trying to figure out what they want to do after they get out of school, Santiago knew right off the bat that he wanted to be involved in the world of cinema somehow.  Aside from that, he enjoys playing basketball and spending time with family and friends.  In addition, Santiago is very interested in being involved in things much larger than himself.  For example, he is a part of many non-profit organizations whose goals are to help people and communities all over the world (i.e. Japan, Africa, and the Untied States).

Journey: He was born in San Diego on August 14, 1998 and has had a wonderful life growing up in the Carmel Valley area.