(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Summer school can be something to cheer about. Just ask the Z Unit, one of ten groups formed from among more than 100 students for a section of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) “Level 9” program, six weeks of academic enrichment for students going into ninth grade this fall at Chief Sealth International, West Seattle, and Franklin High Schools. We caught up with them on Wednesday at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, where, as part of a Level 9 project, there was a trade show-style event to showcase “inventions” by the groups, which had to develop business plans and solicit “investors.” More ahead:

With YMCA funding, the summer program is overseen by program directors, from left, Sealth’s Brooke Beals, WSHS’s Anne Powell, and Franklin’s Mike Hodapp. This is Level 9’s second year, and they told WSB’s Ellen Cedergreen that it’s doing really well. The inventions were, well, inventive – such as the one Diego showed off:

He told Ellen he designed “The Virus” because he wanted it to spread like one. It would be an electric vehicle capable of exceeding 200 miles per hour, “much cooler looking than other hybrid or electric cars that are out today.”

But the young inventors/marketers didn’t just stand by their boards and show off their proposals, Ellen explains, saying that YMCA board members and other community members acted as investors and were given $5,500 in Monopoly cash (in $500 increments). Students from each group mingled with the “investors”:

They had to recruit “investors” to come and hear their pitches; if investors were impressed, they would hand over some “money.”

Level 9 has been in session since the start of the summer, 8:30-2:30 on weekdays. This Friday night, also at Brockey Center, winners in the business competition will be announced, and prizes will be awarded, from backpacks full of school supplies to restaurant certificates.
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