Former Natchitoches Magnet and Natchitoches Central graduates Robert Simmons (pictured right) and Daquonte Bell (pictured left) placed 1st and 2nd respectively in Louisiana Tech’s Top Dog Business Pitch competition. Taking place April 21, six teams presented their ideas to a panel of judges, and were judged on both the viability of their idea and their pitch skills. Robert, a mechanical engineering student who graduates in May, presented “Snap-City Domes,” a reusable domed structure company that hopes to replace FEMA trailers. He will split the $3,000 prize equally with his four-person team. Daqounte, a pre-med student who graduates in November, presented his clothing company “My Why Apparel.” Competing by himself, he will not only keep all of the $1,500 second place prize, but also all of the $2,000 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
