McHenry High grad and former INCubatoredu student earns $2,500 GritGrant from INCubatoredu

Arlett Zarate Diaz, a McHenry High School 2024 graduate and first-generation college student, was awarded a $2,500 GritGrant related to her work last year when she was a high school senior in the school’s INCubatoredu entrepreneurship class.

Representatives from Uncharted Learning, the parent company of INCubatoredu, along with McHenry Community High School District 156 educators and staff gathered on Oct. 18 in the INCubatoredu classroom at McHenry High School’s Upper Campus.

INCubatoredu Instructor Erin Harris nominated Diaz last spring. Now, Diaz attends McHenry County College and will use the money to help pay tuition.

Last year, Diaz was part of a business group called Stickers N Such, which produced and sold custom stickers and other items such as key chains and water bottles.

In INCubatoredu, students work in groups to develop a business idea and plan, working with local business people who volunteer as mentors. The groups ultimately participate in a Pitch Night to share their businesses with other business leaders for feedback, similar to the popular TV show “Shark Tank.”

Harris said Diaz is one of the most determined and resilient students she’s taught. Diaz earned the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish, and graduated as a Distinguished Warrior. She is the first person in her immediate family to graduate from high school and attend college.

Harris said Diaz’s bilingual skills were helpful when operating the student business, and also for participating in the Multicultural Fair that MCHS hosted last spring. Stickers N Such students used a vinyl cutting machine to create their custom designs, Harris said.

This is the second time Harris has nominated and had a student selected for this GritGrant program.

The annual nationwide grant program is funded through the McKenzie Family Foundation, and five students were selected this year.