Courtesy photo
Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (YWEP) participants from a previous event.
Elizabeth Seton High School 3rd Annual YWEP Senior Pitch Competition
By PRESS OFFICER
Elizabeth Seton High School
BLADENSBURG, Md. (March 30, 2026)—Elizabeth Seton High School’s Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (YWEP) will host its 3rd Annual Social Entrepreneurs: Senior Pitch Competition on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
At this two-day capstone event, 16 senior students will present their innovative business ventures to a panel of judges, competing for a $25,000 prize package, including investment funds, business sponsorships, and professional services.
The Senior Pitch Competition consists of three rounds. In Round 1, students deliver 60-second pitches, with the top nine advancing. In Round 2, they present 3–5 minute pitches to judges, and the top five move on. The final round takes place on the main stage during the evening event on April 15.
Spotlight Judges for the final round include: Ari Davis, Founder of Stript; Portia Blunt, Founder of BeeBlunt; Jackie Bensen, Reporter at NBC4 Washington; Ian Callender, Co-Founder of Sandlot; Yolanda Maria Martinez, Special Secretary of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs, Office of the Governor of Maryland
Prize Package: 1st Place – $12,000 bundle (cash and business support) 2nd Place – $8,000 bundle (cash and business support) 3rd Place – $5,000 bundle (business support and resources)
The business support package includes professional mentorship, branding and marketing resources, financial advising, and services to help propel each student’s business forward.
“This competition is more than a pitch—it reflects the confidence and growth our students have developed over the past two years,” said Joy Lawson ’11, Program Director of YWEP.
YWEP is a two-year program designed to equip young women with entrepreneurial skills, leadership development, and real-world business experience. The Senior Pitch Competition serves as the program’s capstone experience.
The event is open to the public, and members of the media are invited to attend the final rounds on April 15.
For more information or to register:
Round 1 (April 14): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ywep-social-entrepreneurs-senior-pitch-competition-2026-round-1-tickets-1985332045592?aff=oddtdtcreator
Final Rounds (April 15): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ywep-social-entrepreneurs-senior-pitch-competition-2026-round-2-3-tickets-1985333952295?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more information, please contact Mrs. Joy Lawson at jlawson@setonhs.org or (301) 864-4532 x7668.
Elizabeth Seton High School, rooted in Catholic values and the charism of the Daughters of Charity, cultivates confidence in young women to excel in college, careers, and life through an innovative and rigorous academic experience. As a diverse and inclusive learning community, students are taught to think critically and creatively, work collaboratively, and serve others. For more information, visit https://www.setonhs.org/
TOP OF PAGE
Rediscovering Joy: Why Creativity Matters in Grief Support
By ELYZABETH MARCUSSEN
Hospice of the Chesapeake
PASADENA, Md. (April 1, 2026)—Imagine meeting up with like-minded people for an afternoon of mocktails, cocktails and snacks. That would be considered a happy hour, right?
Then imagine that the common thread for this group is that they are all people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Would you still call that a happy hour?
Chesapeake Life Center Manager Alena Dailey said yes. Well, sort of. “We’re calling it ‘Hope After Hours.’”
A large part of healing after loss is learning how to fit into your community again. You’re not the same person you were when your loved one was in your life. Sometimes, people feel guilty about having fun again or unsure how to reconnect.
At Chesapeake Life Center, that understanding is shaping creative grief support programs designed to give people a judgment-free space to let loose and have fun. The hope is that they can begin to rediscover joy and carry it into everyday life.
“We heard from clients that they wanted more than traditional sit-down groups,” Dailey said. “They want opportunities to connect and socialize with others going through similar experiences.”
That feedback has led to programs like grief karaoke, nature workshops, book groups and casual gatherings like “Hope After Hours.” While pairing grief with lighter activities may seem unexpected, Dailey said it plays an important role in healing.
“Grief is not linear,” she said. “When you create a lighthearted environment, people can let their guard down. That’s when the connection really begins.”
These programs aren’t about avoiding grief. They’re about approaching it in a more accessible way. Familiar activities often help people open up without pressure. A book discussion might lead to a personal story. Time outdoors can spark memories. Music can express what words cannot.
“Some people share, some people just listen,” Dailey said. “There’s no wrong way to participate.”
At the heart of these programs is community. After a loss, many people feel isolated, especially once initial support fades. These group settings help rebuild connection. “When people realize others are going through something similar, it helps them feel less alone,” she said.
Those connections often last beyond the program, with participants forming friendships and support systems rooted in shared experience.
Chesapeake Life Center also recognizes that grief support isn’t one-size-fits-all. While traditional counseling remains essential, creative programs offer another entry point—especially for those hesitant to seek formal support.
“These programs can be a steppingstone to one-on-one counseling or regular grief support groups,” Dailey said.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: help people feel connected again.
“I hope people walk away knowing they’re not alone,” she said.
To learn more about the spring grief programs at Chesapeake Life Center, visit https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/events/
TOP OF PAGE
