With Private Equity Workshop and Student-Led “Future of Work” Panel

SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL – – Seacoast Collegiate High School, the high school of THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™, officially launched its new Entrepreneur & Leadership Program on Friday, January 23, 2026, with a high-impact event bringing together students, educators, and over 20 regional business leaders for a morning focused on value creation, leadership, and the future of work.

Hosted at the Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center, the event featured two signature components:

A keynote workshop titled “Private Equity Is in Your Backyard: The ‘New Normal’”, led by Eric Krucke, former CFO of a Berkshire Hathaway company

A student-led panel, “Future of Work: A Conversation with the Next Generation,” where Seacoast Collegiate students shared perspectives on workplace culture, leadership expectations, and emerging career pathways

The launch event marked the beginning of a year-long entrepreneurship and leadership initiative that will culminate in an internal Shark Tank-style competition and an end-of-year student entrepreneurship conference.

“Our goal is to equip students for any path they choose,” said Dr. Tom Miller, Executive Director of THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™. “That means giving them access to real leaders, real conversations, and real expectations. Students don’t rise to low ceilings and this program intentionally removes them.”

Private Equity Insight Meets Student Voice In his workshop, Krucke offered participants an inside look at how private equity is reshaping industries and what leaders must understand about building long-term value, not just short-term growth.

“The great thing about the way the program’s built here, entrepreneurship is for every discipline. You know, it’s not just someone that wants to run their own business. You want to be an entrepreneur or even if you’re a biochemist, because the core of how the economy functions and how businesses solve problems is really the core of entrepreneurship,” guest speaker Eric Krucke said.

The student panel that followed flipped the traditional model, placing students at the center of the conversation about the future workplace from flexibility and purpose to leadership transparency and innovation.

“People love to say that when you fail, you can learn from your mistakes. But if you can learn from your mistakes before you make the mistakes, you can advance even faster. And so the tips that they give us can substantially save us time and money and resources further in the future,” Seacoast Collegiate High School 9th grader Asher Tollett said.

Community Investment in Student Leadership The Entrepreneur & Leadership Program is sponsored by The Tucker Family, longtime supporters of education and youth development in the region.

“We believe in investing in students early before they step into the workforce,” said Kavanaugh ‘Kav’ Tucker, program sponsor. “This program gives students the confidence and exposure they need to dream bigger and think differently about leadership and entrepreneurship.”

Throughout the morning, students engaged directly with business owners, executives, and community leaders during structured networking sessions and discussions modeled after professional meetups and Chamber-style gatherings, but intentionally designed to place students at the center of the experience.

What’s Next Following the launch, students will begin developing business ideas, refining pitches, and working with mentors in preparation for the school’s upcoming Shark Tank-style competition. Community leaders will have opportunities to participate as speakers, mentors, judges, ambassadors, and micro-investors in student ventures.

“At THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™, we believe students become extraordinary by walking alongside extraordinary people,” added Miller. “This event was the first step in building an ecosystem where that happens consistently.”

For more information or to get involved in the Entrepreneurship & Leadership Program, visit SeasideSchools.net or email Dr. Tom Miller at millert@seasideschools.net

About THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™. Founded in 1996, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful public charter schools, serving students in grades 5-12 through SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ and Seacoast Collegiate High School with a mission to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond through a responsive, challenging, and equitable education model tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Recognized as a top-performing school in Florida, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has been an “A” school for 21+ consecutive years, ranking in the top 1% of public schools statewide in math and science. Students at THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ benefit from a tuition-free education valued at over $275,000, complete with up to 60 college credits, robust extracurricular opportunities, and a mission-driven focus on leadership, community service, and personal growth. For more information, visit SeasideSchools.net.

Seacoast Collegiate High School Launches Entrepreneur & Leadership Program