| |
A teacher, inventor, husband and father of two, is now competing to win $1 million and bring his invention to kids around the world.
Ricky DeRennaux, 45, of Moore, Oklahoma flew to Los Angeles to compete against thousands and he was chosen to be one of six finalists competing on ABC’s hit TV series, "American Inventor," a reality show produced, by Freemantle Productions, the same company that produces “American Idol.”
“American Inventor” celebrity judges Peter Jones, George Foreman, Sara Blakely and Pat Croce all chose Ricky DeRennaux’s remote control paper model kit “HT Racers” as a finalist on the June 13th episode. Ricky’s invention, “HT Racers” allows a person to build and design remote control cars, planes, boats, trucks and anything else they can think of. Judge Pat Croce said that “it was the best thing he had seen on American Inventor so far.” George Foreman said that the product “should be in the market place.”
DeRennaux was inspired to invent an early rendition of this kit for designing and building paper cars, planes, trucks and boats as a project while teaching science and math. Currently, DeRennaux is the director of Tech-Now and oversees the high technology curriculum for programs in 34 middle schools and high schools in the state of Oklahoma.
DeRennaux was surrounded by his wife Sherri and son Christian, friends, teachers and students, when ‘American Inventor’ host Nick Smith presented the fantastic news that Ricky was chosen as one of the six finalists. The Oklahoma teacher said on the June 13th episode of the TV show, that “You can’t do things like this on your own. You’ve got to have those supports to things happen and I’ve got the best support group there is.”
"We are so proud of Ricky and he needs Oklahoma’s support to win this competition.” said Administrator of Piedmont Public School.
Ricky has worked hard on his invention for the past 10 years and has invested about $20,000 of his own money to develop it. The show presented Ricky and the other finalist with $50,000 to take their invention to the next level - in the hopes that the product can be launched into the market. The winner will receive a $1 million grand prize and promotion and the chance to have their dream of having their product available for everyone all over the world.
"American Inventor," airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. central time and 9 p.m. eastern and western times. Ricky DeRennaux was seen on the June 13th episode presenting his invention. Ricky will be seen again on “American Inventor” on the July 25th episode, when he shows how he has developed his invention, “HT Racers.”
The judges will choose three of the final six and then the audience will vote for the next American Inventor.
Patrick Dennis, teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, exclaimed, “Ricky DeRennaux is a real hero and a dedicated teacher. His HT Racers kit is terrific and I hope the entire country votes for him.” HT Racers audition on YouTube.
|
furrc[.]yahoo.com 
