They also include serendipitous interactions between such inner strengths and happenstance, such as with a capable 8th grade student scared to start high school who met a new neighbor who is a popular senior at the high school he will be attending.

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It is a popular concept -- earlier this year, students at Columbia Business School took part in a pitch competition in which the pleas for investment were actually delivered in an elevator, although these were filmed rather than having all the judges crammed inside as well.

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At Parkville Middle School outside of Baltimore, engineering is the most popular subject, thanks to outstanding teachers who are inspiring students to focus on their math and science skills.

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