Menlo Park and Leonardo da Vinci’s studio could have a new rival for where innovation and creative thought converge to form earth-changing inventions: a fourth grade classroom in Orearville.

The district is celebrating the ingenuity of three of their students—Quincy, Kinley and Heidi—who won best in show at last month’s regional Invention Convention contest in Kansas City. Quincy explains the necessity that led to the girls’ invention, the Pencil Watch.

During their interview with KMMO News, the girls presented their prototypes of the watch, using a bendable pencil as the watchband. The contest not only judged teams on their inventions, but also how they pitched them. Kinley said their invention was a favorite among those in attendance.

The judges agreed, naming Pencil Watch the best in show out of over 300 submissions. Heidi and Kinley recalled how they reacted to the announcement.

Orearville School students Quincy, Heidi and Kinley hold one of their Pencil Watches. The three won Best In Show for their creation at the Invention Convention in Kansas City in April 2026. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

The team won a $2500 cash prize for winning best in show. The girls and their families, along with sponsor Chrissy Gessling, will take Pencil Watch to the national Invention Convention set for the first week of June in Dearborn, Michigan. Gessling and Orearville principal Whitney Thompson tell KMMO News that the school is accepting donations to help fund their trip.