Corey Buchman, a senior at MMI Preparatory School, earned the 2025 Young Innovator of the Year award by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. The award, sponsored annually by the CAN BE Innovation Center, was presented to Corey on May 27 at the Chamber’s 49th Annual Academic Achievement Awards Banquet held at Carmen’s Country Inn & Gardens.

Corey won the award in recognition of his exceptional commitment to entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation throughout his high school career. Over the past two years, Corey participated in the tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition, first earning top honors in 2024 with his AI-powered public speaking platform, Presify, and then returning in 2025 as a finalist with LawnEase, an on-demand lawn care platform that connects homeowners with local service providers.

“I’ve always been drawn to the world of business,” Buchman shared. “Even as a kid, I found myself fascinated by different types of commerce and how things worked behind the scenes. It wasn’t until I started participating in programs like Prequel and the HSBPC that I realized I could actually start building my own ideas.”

Those experiences, Corey said, taught him to take initiative and reach out to mentors, professionals, and peers – skills he now credits as instrumental to his growth. “I didn’t think I could build an AI tool in high school, but I did,” he added. “When you take a chance and commit to something, you’re often surprised by what you’re capable of.”

CAN DO’s Director of Economic Development Jocelyn Sterenchock, who has worked closely with Corey throughout his participation in local entrepreneurial programming, presented the award.

“Over the past two years, I’ve watched Corey evolve from a student with a strong idea into a young entrepreneur who truly understands how to think critically, problem-solve, and seek out the right support to move forward,” Sterenchock said. “He doesn’t just pitch concepts—he builds thoughtful solutions and asks the hard questions along the way. That kind of growth, especially in a high school student, is rare and inspiring.”

Sterenchock added, “What sets Corey apart is his resourcefulness and coachability. He proactively sought out advice from mentors, connected with past winners, and used the ecosystem around him more effectively than any student I’ve worked with. In a world where everyone wants to be heard, Corey focused on understanding. That mindset—being open to feedback, curious about improvement, and driven to understand the ‘why’ behind success—is what makes him so exceptional.”

Corey credits a number of mentors and educators for supporting his journey, including Jocelyn Sterenchock and Jerry Lisman through HSBPC; his FBLA advisor Katherine Zucco; and several faculty members at MMI, including Theresa Long, Marci Hosier, Michael Mele, and Christina Spencer. He also expressed gratitude to Salman Sohani and Katerina Smith for their mentorship and support in his extracurricular pursuits, as well as his parents and grandmother for their constant encouragement.

After graduation, Corey plans to attend the University of Chicago, where he hopes to launch a career in investment banking or pursue graduate studies with a focus on finance. “Being named Young Innovator of the Year is a tremendous honor,” he said. “But it’s also a reminder that innovation isn’t about one project – it’s about continuing to challenge yourself, learning from those around you, and being brave enough to take the first step.”

To learn more about the CAN BE Innovation Center and entrepreneurship support programs available in Greater Hazleton, visit canbe.biz or contact Nico Makuta at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..