Sarah Romanko

I’m honored to be recognized on the Austin Black Business Journal & Community News Magazine’s Top 40 Professionals and Entrepreneurs List alongside changemakers (shout-out to Gloria Oppong, co-founder and CEO of Cleanster.com, one of Sputnik ATX VC's portfolio companies) who are making Austin a truly inclusive community!

I’m passionate about decreasing the funding gap so I created romanko venture group. Through this initiative, I provide female and diverse founders with pitch deck… Show more

I’m honored to be recognized on the Austin Black Business Journal & Community News Magazine’s Top 40 Professionals and Entrepreneurs List alongside changemakers (shout-out to Gloria Oppong, co-founder and CEO of Cleanster.com, one of Sputnik ATX VC's portfolio companies) who are making Austin a truly inclusive community!

I’m passionate about decreasing the funding gap so I created romanko venture group. Through this initiative, I provide female and diverse founders with pitch deck advice, fundraising advice, and ideas on how to improve their business at no charge, and even advise students on how to break into venture capital. Show less

This contest is divided into three phases: completion of employment applications; preliminary interviews with the receptionist; and, in-depth interviews. I created a resume that was reviewed prior to both the first round (with 2 judges) and the final round (with 4 judges). The interview questions increased in difficulty from the first round to the final round.

I earned a Silver Medal in the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Job Interview competition in April 2022, and served as a… Show more

This contest is divided into three phases: completion of employment applications; preliminary interviews with the receptionist; and, in-depth interviews. I created a resume that was reviewed prior to both the first round (with 2 judges) and the final round (with 4 judges). The interview questions increased in difficulty from the first round to the final round.

I earned a Silver Medal in the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Job Interview competition in April 2022, and served as a replacement for the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Job Interview gold medalist at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. In June 2022, at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, I became the National Champion in Job Interview. Show less

Awarded to full-time students who have a GPA in the top 10% of their school

The purpose of this competition was to evaluate each contestant’s ability to prepare and present clearly and effectively a series of thoughts relating to a central theme. The topic to be addressed by contestants in the 2022 SkillsUSA Prepared Speech competitions is our theme, “SkillsUSA: United as One.” Within this topic, I addressed the question "How has your participation in SkillsUSA made you a better team member and what have you learned and demonstrated around the Essential Element of… Show more

The purpose of this competition was to evaluate each contestant’s ability to prepare and present clearly and effectively a series of thoughts relating to a central theme. The topic to be addressed by contestants in the 2022 SkillsUSA Prepared Speech competitions is our theme, “SkillsUSA: United as One.” Within this topic, I addressed the question "How has your participation in SkillsUSA made you a better team member and what have you learned and demonstrated around the Essential Element of teamwork?". I discussed my experiences with SkillsUSA throughout high school and college, including competing in the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship competition, starting my own chapter of SkillsUSA, and becoming a National Officer. I also discussed the importance of expressing your fears to your teammates and how that can strengthen your team. Show less

I was invited by Dr. Diane McNulty, UT Dallas Associate Dean for External Relations and Corporate Development, to join the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management Advisory Council meeting to share my experience in Hacking 4 Defense and provide an overview of my team’s project. This was the second time I was invited to speak at the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management Advisory Council.

Selected as one of five Queen Nominees based on school spirit, academic excellence, and extracurricular involvement

Selected to be on the 2021 NTX Inno Under 25 list, a list that highlights the "most promising and accomplished innovators poised to shape the local [DFW] ecosystem and beyond"

Link to article: https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/inno/stories/inno-insights/2021/09/14/ntx-inno-under-25-2021.html

Awarded to UT Dallas students in JSOM to reward academic excellence

Awarded to UT Dallas students who possess exemplary academic records

I was invited by Dr. Diane McNulty, UT Dallas Associate Dean for External Relations and Corporate Development, to join the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management Advisory Council meeting to share how my leadership efforts in starting the UTD SkillsUSA chapter led to my appointment as a SkillsUSA National Officer.

Awarded to one student annually who exemplifies commitment, service, and leadership in student life

The purpose of this competition was to evaluate contestants' understanding of employment procedures they will face in applying for positions in the occupational areas for which they are training.

The competition involved live role-playing situations that demonstrate the ability to perform interview skills. I created a resume and filled out a job application that was reviewed prior to the interview. I was then assigned a time slot where I was interviewed virtually via Zoom.

The purpose of this competition was to evaluate the competitor's success to formulate a business plan, present business presentations, and respond to changes that may occur during operation.

I created a 41-page business plan and 24-slide presentation for Reward Your Health, whose mission was dedicated to improving your health one step at a time, with exercise regimens, healthy recipes, and a health-oriented community of like-minded individuals. The business plan included an Executive… Show more

The purpose of this competition was to evaluate the competitor's success to formulate a business plan, present business presentations, and respond to changes that may occur during operation.

I created a 41-page business plan and 24-slide presentation for Reward Your Health, whose mission was dedicated to improving your health one step at a time, with exercise regimens, healthy recipes, and a health-oriented community of like-minded individuals. The business plan included an Executive Summary, Summary of Business, Marketing Plan, Management Plan, and Financial Plan (Sources and Uses of Funds Statement, Income Statement Years 1-3, Cash Flow Forecast Years 1-3, Balance Sheet Years 1-3, Ratio Analysis Years 1-3, Breakeven Analysis Year 1 & Critical Assumptions). Show less

This award is presented to a current undergraduate student who is a leader of JSOM student organization and has provided exemplary leadership to the member students of that organization and had a positive impact on them, benefiting JSOM at large.

Potential OWLIE recipients are nominated by students, faculty, program directors and JSOM student organization advisors. The finalists are determined by the Undergraduate and Graduate Dean Council. The process to determine the finalists is a… Show more

This award is presented to a current undergraduate student who is a leader of JSOM student organization and has provided exemplary leadership to the member students of that organization and had a positive impact on them, benefiting JSOM at large.

Potential OWLIE recipients are nominated by students, faculty, program directors and JSOM student organization advisors. The finalists are determined by the Undergraduate and Graduate Dean Council. The process to determine the finalists is a blind process removing student identity from consideration. Previous OWLIE winners are ineligible.

OWLIE winners are determined by a vote of the JSOM faculty and staff, eight representatives of more than 50 JSOM student organizations and the undergraduate and graduate members of the Dean’s Council.

Link to virtual ceremony: https://youtu.be/uk4k4yY3pyU
Link to article about the ceremony: https://jindal.utdallas.edu/blog/owlies-2020-go-virtual Show less

I worked with a team of five students to develop a proposal that gave back to the community. My team's proposal, “Saving Sleep”, was a program that provides beds, bedding, and other nighttime necessities to children in need. The competition consisted of several stages, and out of more than 100 teams from Business Communications (BCOM) classes, we placed first, earning our team a prize of $2,000.

I was selected as one of four students to represent UT Dallas in Los Angeles, CA to work with a team of students from universities across the country, where I collaborated with a team of 8 to create a business idea in 54 hours. Here, I conducted primary market research by surveying potential customers (face-to-face and through an online survey) for Style It, an app that enables customers to scan clothing, match their unique preferences, and style outfits in a physical store with the purpose of… Show more

I was selected as one of four students to represent UT Dallas in Los Angeles, CA to work with a team of students from universities across the country, where I collaborated with a team of 8 to create a business idea in 54 hours. Here, I conducted primary market research by surveying potential customers (face-to-face and through an online survey) for Style It, an app that enables customers to scan clothing, match their unique preferences, and style outfits in a physical store with the purpose of increasing customer satisfaction and store revenue. In addition to conducting primary market research, I created the pitch deck, which detailed the customer problem, Style It's solution, market opportunity (TAM, SAM, and SOM), team, market strategy, timeline, and financial projections. My team received an Honorable Mention for this idea. Show less

I competed at the Texas Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference in the Professional Sales event. This event involves a student’s demonstration of his/her ability to organize and deliver a sales presentation for a product and/or service of the student’s choice, including interaction with one or more potential buyers (judges). The ability of the student to interact with buyers and initiate a purchase is the major focus of this event.

For this event, I created my own idea… Show more

I competed at the Texas Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference in the Professional Sales event. This event involves a student’s demonstration of his/her ability to organize and deliver a sales presentation for a product and/or service of the student’s choice, including interaction with one or more potential buyers (judges). The ability of the student to interact with buyers and initiate a purchase is the major focus of this event.

For this event, I created my own idea, called Hair Millionaire, which is environmentally friendly hairbrushes with removable inserts. Our mission was to enable women to look and feel like a million bucks, one hairbrush at a time. I created a presentation, a business card, flyers, and purchase orders, as well as a mock-up of the product to present to the potential buyer (judge). Show less

In 12th grade, I competed in the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship Competition, whose purpose is to evaluate the team’s success to formulate a business plan, present business presentations and respond to changes that may occur during operation. With a team of 4 students (including myself), we developed Find-A-Friend, an app that is dedicated to promoting face-to-face social interaction, exercise, local businesses, and local parks. We worked together to create an MVP of our app, as well as a 30-page… Show more

In 12th grade, I competed in the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship Competition, whose purpose is to evaluate the team’s success to formulate a business plan, present business presentations and respond to changes that may occur during operation. With a team of 4 students (including myself), we developed Find-A-Friend, an app that is dedicated to promoting face-to-face social interaction, exercise, local businesses, and local parks. We worked together to create an MVP of our app, as well as a 30-page business plan. This plan included items such as an Executive Summary, Marketing Plan, Management Plan, and Financial Sources and Uses of Funds Statement. My focus was on the financials, and I created a Sources and Uses of Funds Statement, Income Statements, Cash Flow Forecasts, Balance Sheets, Breakeven Analysis, Financial Ratios, and a List of Critical Assumptions. I also created the presentation.

My team placed first at the SkillsUSA District 10 Competition (February 2018), which advanced us to the SkillsUSA Texas Leadership and Skills Conference (April 2018), where we placed first (earning the distinction of State Champion). We then advanced to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (June 2018), and placed fourth. Show less

Awarded to students each year who had a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher.

Each department selected one senior student to receive a departmental award.

In 11th grade, I competed in the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship Competition, whose purpose is to evaluate the team's success to formulate a business plan, present business presentations and respond to changes that may occur during operation. With a team of 3 students (was 4 at District Level, but one student wasn't able to attend the State Competition), we developed AIRS Focus Rooms, whose mission was to create a healthy environment for students to study and learn to their highest potential by… Show more

In 11th grade, I competed in the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship Competition, whose purpose is to evaluate the team's success to formulate a business plan, present business presentations and respond to changes that may occur during operation. With a team of 3 students (was 4 at District Level, but one student wasn't able to attend the State Competition), we developed AIRS Focus Rooms, whose mission was to create a healthy environment for students to study and learn to their highest potential by offering an easily accessible area for them to go. We worked together to create a 19-page business plan, which included items such as an Executive Summary, Market Analysis, Marketing Plan, Management and Operations Plan, and a Financial Plan. My focus was on the Financial Plan, and I calculated the Start-Up Cost and Monthly Operating Expenses, as well as the Monthly Sales Projections. I also created the presentation.

My team placed second at the SkillsUSA District 10 Competition (February 2017), which advanced us to the SkillsUSA Texas Leadership and Skills Conference (April 2017), where we placed second. Show less

The Pan American Student Forum is a student-based convention that highlights Hispanic culture and language. More information can be found here: https://westwoodhorizon.com/2017/03/nshs-celebrates-spanish-culture-at-pan-american-student-forum/

I was selected to participate in Camp Enterprise in Austin, Texas, which is an annual weekend event for area high school juniors. I was immersed in a three-day, fast-paced, intensive learning environment where the realities of business development were explored and created. I practiced team-building skills, collaborative problem solving, and met fellow students in Central Texas with the same interests.

Awarded to students for scoring in a certain percentage in their respective categories.
8th grade: 94th percentile
10th grade: 88th percentile
11th grade: 94th percentile

UIL Accounting tests students' knowledge of accounting in a competitive setting against other schools.
At the Pflugerville Invitational, the top three scores from each school were tallied, and Westwood High School had the top three scores. One of those top three scores was mine.

I was a co-presenter with Lucy Sanchez, CTE/Academy Specialist and other Academy Ambassadors for a session titled “Enlisting Academy Ambassadors to Market & Develop CTE Programs” and promoted the 5 Academies of Westwood while collaborating with other Ambassadors.