The inaugural Panther Innovation Award finalists presented to the panel this week, with four teams chosen to receive grants.
Ten finalists were selected to present their ideas at Panther Tank, Ranney’s Shark Tank–style pitch event. In its inaugural year, the competition attracted a diverse set of applications spanning social impact, technology, environmental sustainability, education, and entrepreneurship, each proposing innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Proposals include initiatives supporting grieving children and children affected by war, platforms improving financial literacy and helping international students navigate school life, technologies designed to prevent falls among elderly patients and reduce food waste, sustainability efforts focused on agriculture and ocean cleanup, and innovative tools, ranging from trading simulations to artificial intelligence, that help individuals and local businesses operate more effectively. Together, the proposals highlight both the depth of student passion and the breadth of issues students are eager to tackle.
Judges evaluated each proposal based on originality, feasibility, clarity of vision, and potential impact, as well as alignment with Ranney’s mission to lead, create, and contribute.
Congratulations to the following 2026 Panther Innovation Award Winners, each of whom received $1,000 to support their projects:
Gianna Eliseo ’28 - “Pinky Promise”
Quinlan Miller ’26 - “Every Drop Counts: Using moisture sensing to conserve water.”
Lawrence Royce ’26 - “Shore Sync AI: Revolutionizing Local Business”
Also recognized with a $500 award to further develop their idea was:
The Panther Innovation Award was established through the generosity and vision of the Govil family—Dr. Niraj Govil ’85 and Dr. Ranjana Govil, along with their sons, Ankur ’18 and Ankush ’23—to encourage student-driven projects that combine creativity with purpose. Designed to support innovative thinking, the award provides selected students or teams with funding and mentorship to help turn their ideas into reality. Award recipients will receive a $1,000 award to advance their projects over a six-month development period, culminating in a final presentation to the school community. Through this program, students are empowered to move beyond ideas and take concr