Arkansas Students Win Big With Inventions for the Vulnerable

Two juniors from Cross County High School just won $1,000 and a full year of innovation support for inventing a comfort tool that helps people who rely on oxygen assistance breathe easier.

Donna Mckenzie and Jenna Organ took first place at Arkansas State University's fourth annual "Thrown to the Wolves" competition with OxyComfort, their invention designed to provide relief for oxygen users. Their win includes mentoring from a venture capitalist, scholarship money, free workspace at A-State Innovate, and even patent help to bring their idea to life.

The competition, modeled after "Shark Tank," brought together 21 students from five Northeast Arkansas schools on February 25. Teams of up to three students pitched their business ideas to judges after submitting detailed business plans ahead of time.

Cross County High School dominated the day. Juniors Christopher Lloyd and Linken Barrett took second place with Sure Sip, a specialized cup designed for bedridden patients who can't sit up to drink. Their invention earned them $500, scholarships, and a year of free workspace.

Third place went to sophomores Jenna Garcia and Faud Talib from Academies of Jonesboro High School. Their invention, Eternal Link, uses QR codes on headstones and historical sites to share life stories with visitors. The technology bridges past and present, helping communities preserve their history in accessible ways.

Senior Fatimah Kazi from Academies of Jonesboro won the audience-voted Pack Pick Award and $250 for her presentation skills.

The Ripple Effect

These student inventions solve problems that professionals often overlook. OxyComfort and Sure Sip both focus on dignity and comfort for people facing medical challenges. Eternal Link preserves stories that might otherwise be lost forever.

The Delta Center for Economic Development provided these young inventors with real business feedback from experienced industry leaders. Executive Director Andrea Allen called their solutions proof that "the future is in capable hands."

The first-place winners will receive a $7,500 marketing package from The Solutions Group, turning their classroom project into a potential real-world product. For students in rural Arkansas, this competition offers access to resources and mentorship typically available only in major cities.

These teenagers are already thinking about who gets left behind and building solutions before they even graduate high school.