ABERDEEN, S.D. – High school innovators from South Dakota and across the country were recognized through the 2025 BIG Idea Competition, with winners announced during an awards ceremony held Dec. 18 at Northern State University. 

The competition was split into two finalist tracks. Out-of-state finalists presented on Dec. 9, while South Dakota finalists presented Dec. 18. In total, nearly $55,000 in cash and scholarships was awarded. 

South Dakota winners

• 1st place: Dakota Detailing – Dean Castellano and Bennett Woolverton (Warner High School; advisor Pam Lane). $1,000 cash and $2,500 scholarships to Northern State University, Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. 
  
• 2nd place: Bloom – Brynn Kindelspire (Tri-Valley High School; advisor Tracy Vogt). $500 cash and $2,000scholarships to Northern State University, Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. 
  
• 3rd place: Sizzle Shakk – Max Lauseng, Chris McCormick and Kolbe Mohling (Watertown High School; advisor Tom Lenox). $250 cash and $1,500 scholarships to Northern State University, Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. 

Out-of-state winners

• 1st place: Naturista – Planet and Health Friendly Coffee Pods – Aditya Herekar and Karan Verma (John P. Stevens High School, New Jersey, and Liberty High School, Texas). 
  
• 2nd place: WheyMaker – Ayush Dadgale and Hasini Manne (Brookfield East High School, Wisconsin). 
  
• 3rd place: EcoGrid – Taylen Li, Mason Hu and Hugo Ho (Winston Churchill High School, Maryland). 

Special category winners

• BIG Idea Elevator Pitch Video Winner (Recorded Pitch + Live Pitch): Dakota Detailing – Dean Castellano and Bennett Woolverton (Warner High School; advisor Pam Lane). Sponsored by Dakota Plains Commercial Real Estate.
  
• Wellness Award: NeuroGrip – Pranav Srinivasan and Nishchal Talugula (Edison High School, New Jersey). Sponsored by Independent Health Solutions. 
  
• Agriculture Innovation Award: Boekelheide Airborne Mosquito Spraying – Ty Boekelheide (Northwestern High School; advisor Alexz Peterson-Smith). Sponsored by the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation. 
  
• Hometown Business Award: Pretty Paws Staycation – Macee McGregor and Bentley Miotke (Webster High School; advisor Jessica McGregor). Sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association. 
  
• Makers Award: EV Evolution – Zander Harry (Groton High School; advisor Eric Swenson). Sponsored by Blackout Industries. 

The Partners in Business Award recognized educators for bringing networking and mentorship into their classrooms. This year’s recipients were Pam Lane (Warner High School), Jessica McGregor (Webster High School) and Chad Richardt (Ipswich High School). The Partners in Business awards are sponsored by Angelhaus.

For more information, contact Northern Innovation and Startup Center at startup@northern.edu or 605-626-2815.