---
title: McAllen ISD students turn ideas into startups through Shark Tank–style class
description: In McAllen ISD, student team Boosties shows how entrepreneurship builds future-ready skills and community connections, preparing young innovators for success.
image: https://www.unchartedlearning.org/hubfs/mcallen-boosties-article.jpeg
---

# McAllen ISD students turn ideas into startups through Shark Tank–style class

[![](https://www.unchartedlearning.org/hubfs/mcallen-boosties-article.jpeg) ](https://www.rgvbusinessjournal.com/news/23/09/2025/mcallen-isd-students-turn-ideas-into-startups-through-shark-tank-style-class/)

Rio Grande Valley BUSINESS JOURNAL

*By: Lea Juarez on September 25, 2025*

Four [Nikki Rowe High School](https://rowe.mcallenisd.org/) students turned a family health concern into a product that landed them among the top 10 student startups in the nation.

Hannah Chavero, Ashlie McDonald, Reyli Sarmiento, and Emilian Sosa created a natural-ingredient gummy bear after they realized several members of their families shared a common condition — diabetes. As students on the go, they also noticed their peers’ dependence on high-sugar energy drinks.

Seeing the link between the two, the group sought to create a solution for both, eventually developing sugar-free energy gummies called Boosties. Inspired by the culturally popular chilado gummy snacks, the team developed chamoy-coated gelatin bears infused with green tea and the slogan: “Boost your day the chamoy wey!”

[Read More](https://www.rgvbusinessjournal.com/news/23/09/2025/mcallen-isd-students-turn-ideas-into-startups-through-shark-tank-style-class/)

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