On April 29, 2026, Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, hosted the annual Loiello Pitch Competition, showcasing the entrepreneurial talents of its students. The event featured a total prize pool of $7,500, generously donated by alumni Paul Palmieri and Diane (Loiello) Palmieri. Morgan Ortega, a student from the class of 2028, emerged as the champion, winning the $6,000 grand prize for her innovative tea brand, Chalm Tea, which offers unique blends aimed at enhancing health and wellness. Sophia Servagno, a member of the class of 2026, secured second place with her concept for The Honeycomb, a coffee shop and bakery focused on nutritious baked goods. Tied for third place were Najhayne Watson and Mary Gutshall, both from the class of 2026, who received recognition for their patentable ideas. The competition not only provided funding opportunities but also valuable experience in public speaking and pitching. The university encourages all participants to continue refining their ideas and looks forward to welcoming more student entrepreneurs in future competitions.