State College of Florida Collegiate School student advances to final leg of Bright House Bright Ideas competition

BRADENTON -- A State College of Florida Collegiate School student is headed to the final level of the Bright House Bright Ideas competition with his idea to map out grocery stores on an app designed to make shopping quicker.

Xavier Almeyda, a 16-year-old senior from Venice, created "Aisle FindIt," which would integrate grocery store shelving plans to help users get in and out of grocery stores faster, by helping them find specific items in precise locations. He was inspired by his mom.

Almeyda and four other SCF Collegiate School students competed in the regional level of the competition on Tuesday night in Tampa. In March, Almeyda will compete against students statewide. The winner of the overall competition will have the chance to partner with businesses and investors and bring his or her bright idea to life.

Five other finalists will also compete in the all-expense paid competition in Orlando at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center's Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater. They will have no more than six minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts, who will select one winner. The winner will have the chance to work with Orlando-based product and technology innovation firm Astralis Group to build a virtual prototype and write a business plan.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 5:11 PM with the headline "State College of Florida Collegiate School student advances to final leg of Bright House Bright Ideas competition ."