HAppiness really is the key to success

Four teams of sixth formers vied to win investment from De Aston Old Boy Michael Oglesby, who heads up The Oglesby Charitable Trust.

A football school, voice recognition and an American diner in one of Market Rasen’s empty premises were among the ideas under consideration by the panel on the day, where Mr Oglesby was joined by school governors and local businessmen Richard Marshall, Michael Davenport and Robert Wilson.

But it was HAppiness that caught the panel’s attention.

The mood app was devised by Victoria Pritchard, Hannah Boylan and Tom Looker.

HAppiness replicates a form of repetitive psychotherapy treatment to encourage happiness.

But the team of three created their own happiness by winning the £500 prize and continuing support to develop their idea further.

“In a way, the winners wrote down the least but caught our imagination,” said Mr Oglesby.

“They came up with something we believe they can do, convinced us they could do it and wanted to do it - and for a sensible amount of money could make it happen.”

Victoria came up with the initial idea in a psychology lesson.

“I feel on a bit of a high now,” she said. “It is great someone else has faith in us and our idea will now probably happen.”

But it has been a tough time for the 17-year-olds as they have all also been studying for their exams.

“It was difficult to try and fit it all in with our studies, but it has paid off,” added Hannah.

And Michael Oglesby was impressed with all the teams’ hard work.

“The standard has been extremely high and there are quite a lot of people there I would like to employ,” he said.

“I hope to continue with the competition next year.”