Declan Kirby isn’t normally comfortable in front of a crowd. But Macomb’s first elevator pitch competition helped Kirby conquer that fear – and win recognition for his business idea.

“I always get nervous before going up in front of people, but this was all about something I’m passionate about, so it forced me to relax and be confident in myself,” said Kirby, who took first place out of 20 competitors in the event sponsored by Macomb Community College’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).

Kirby, a Macomb business management major, heard about the competition in class and came up with a pitch to make headphone earbuds from an eco-friendly, plastic-like material made from mushrooms. He and the other participants were coached by CIE staff and received a tour of the Quicken Loans building in Detroit. They then pitched their ideas one at a time to a successful entrepreneur while riding an elevator, imitating a chance encounter that might happen in the business world. Selected as one of four finalists, Kelly then pitched on stage to four judges, earning first place and $500. He also received a few business cards from people interested in hearing more.

“It was a wonderful chance to network with professionals and get advice,” he said.

Kirby plans to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in business and hopes to create a functional prototype of his headphones in order to attract more funding. His advice for future participants is to rehearse a lot and choose something you’re passionate about.

“If you’re not passionate about your topic,” he said, “then why should anyone else be?”

Antonio Capaldi uses the word “blessed” a lot to describe his first year as a Macomb student. The Eastpointe native has found success and opportunity both as a member of the men’s basketball team, averaging nearly 10 points a game including 20 in the regional championship, and as a campus leader.

“Macomb helped me center my life,” Capaldi said. “It helped show me what I want to do, how I want to do it, where I want to do it. Without Macomb, I don’t know where I’d be.”

Capaldi, who is thinking of studying education to become an administrator and coach, made the dean’s list after earning a 4.0 in the summer semester, and he credits Heather Mayernik, his College Study Success Skills professor, with helping him make the academic transition to college. He’s been asked to speak to incoming students and younger teammates about being a successful student. He was also invited to attend the Shining Light Awards, where he met NBA Hall of Famer and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. As he walked into that event full of CEOs, civic leaders and other successful community members, Mayernik told him, “This could be you one day.”

Although he could not have imagined that a year ago, Capaldi replied: “Yes, it could.”

The Monarchs basketball season starts in November. Check out their schedule and follow them on Twitter.

“I love music,” says Katie Braschayko, a Macomb sophomore and sax player with an affinity for the New Orleans’ stylings of the late, great Sidney Bechet.  “My dad’s a classical jazz kind of guy, so I grew up listening to it. I played clarinet in high school before switching to sax. I like being in the bass line and I like to be heard!”

Katie is a member of Macomb’s Jazz Band and is also taking classes in piano. While uncertain about a major, maybe sports management, she is on the path toward a minor in music. A member of jazz band in high school, Katie wanted to attend a college that offered the same opportunity. In addition to jazz band, Macomb also sponsors a concert choir, concert band, symphony orchestra and the Macombers, a singing and dancing troupe for which auditions are held each spring. And does Katie mind those 7 p.m. practices after a day of classes and working at a local restaurant? “You get to end your day playing jazz,” she says. “It doesn’t get much better than that!”

Haley Boccomino started running because of her mom, Shannon.

“I grew up in a stroller watching her compete,” said Boccomino, who was recently named Macomb’s female athlete of the year after qualifying for the cross country, indoor track and outdoor track national championships six times in two years.

As Haley got older, she started to enter small races, and her mom would run alongside her. Boccomino continued running with the Girls on the Run club and then Center Line High School, where she was the only female on the team and would train with the boys. An assistant coach told her about the Macomb program, where she would go on to earn back-to-back All-American honors in the 4 x 800 meter relay.

“I could not appreciate my teammates any more,” she told The Macomb Daily. “It is so great to have a support system.”

Boccomino, who was salutatorian at Center Line, carried a 3.805 GPA at Macomb and now has an athletic scholarship to continue her education at Wayne State, where she hopes to join the pre-med program and become a physician assistant.

“I knew Macomb was going to be best option of the opportunities I would have,” she said. “It was a smart thing to do because I saved so much money going to Macomb that now I can put it toward my education going elsewhere, and I got all the classes I needed. I’m really excited for the challenge.”

“I went to another college for a year but had to take film theory and journalism before I could take the (Media and Communication Arts) classes that I wanted.  I liked that I could just jump into it at Macomb. And it’s been awesome.  We have access to real cool equipment and Yosy (Marquez, his instructor) allows creativity to grow.  Macomb seems to take pride in their art students and that is super refreshing.”

Robert, 20, whose father is a Hollywood stuntman, and his friend Jeremy Howell, (both shown here on their first red carpet moment – Rob is on the right) took first place in the 89-Hour Film Festival sponsored by radio station 89X. The contest asked amateur filmmakers to create a six- to eight-minute “mockumentary” in 89 hours. The pair received $2,500 for their first place entry, but the bigger thrill was seeing Mystic Hunt, a parody of Ghost Adventures, on screen at the MJR Theatre in Troy. Rob intends to continue his studies at the Motion Picture Institute in Troy and the American Film Institute in San Diego. “I’m minoring in advertising as a fall back,” he says, “but, ideally, I want to be a film director.”  See his award-winning work at:   http://www.frequency.com/video/89x-89-hour-film-festival-lbtmovies/253956427?cid=5-18734.

“I found Macomb to be the school that fits me best.  There is the performing arts center, the cultural center and the University Center where I can earn my bachelor’s degree. And with my work study job, it’s been well worth it for me to attend Macomb. It’s a great environment, a great education and a great experience. There’s just more opportunities at Macomb.”

Trayvon Alexander graduated from Detroit’s Southeastern High School and is pursuing an Associate Degree in Business Administration/Entrepreneurship and a Certificate in Music Performance – Percussion. In addition to the drums, he also plays piano and guitar and hopes to open his own music school one day.  You can catch Trayvon on the drums every Sunday at Silver Star Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit

“One of the things I really enjoy about Macomb is the proximity I have to Center campus. I live right here at 19 Mile Road and Schoenherr, so I’m able to commute to school as well as maintain a full-time job where I’ve been able to advance. It really provides me that dual experience of the work environment.”

After graduating from Utica Henry Ford II High School, Doug Marlow’s counselors at Macomb have helped him pursue a general business major and make plans to transfer to a four-year university. He enjoys working on cars and motorcycles and said that he feels like he’s “planting the seedlings for the rest of my career here.”