(Long Island, NY) John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) in the Bellmore/Merrick School District was awarded first place in the Virtual Enterprise International business plans competition today after presenting their project, “On The Move,” to a panel of judges from Long Island business and academic communities. Students presented their “firms” at the American Portfolios Offices in Holbrook yesterday.
GW Hewlett HS students are, left to right: Erica Caparelli, Emma Davis, Rick Cross VEI Judge, Rightfinancialadvisor.com, Jay Patel, Alexandra Gerber, and Ariel Purnsrian. Team member Jackson Israel is not present in photo. Photo Credit: VEI.
GW Hewlett High School picked up second place for their project Flash Comm and Westhampton Beach High School was selected for third place for their project Helios. The finalists will advance to the national competition sponsored by Virtual Enterprises International in New York City as part of the Youth Business Summit events on April 13-15, 2015. Winners will receive plaques, computers and scholarship opportunities.
JFK students are, left to right: Robert Freed, Evan Golodner, Edward Koton, VEI Judge Rick Cross, Rightfinancialadvisor.com, Jake Silverman, Amanda Taormina, and Mark Fleissig. Photo Credit: VEI.
The three winners competed against 34 Long Island High Schools at SUNY Farmingdale in January. Seven of those teams were selected to present their business plans in Holbrook on February 25, 2015. Today the three finalists will advance to the national competition sponsored by Virtual Enterprises International in New York City as part of the Youth Business Summit events on April 13-15, 2015. Sponsors of LI VE are: Career and Technical Education Technical Assistance Center of NY, American Portfolios Financial Services, Capital One Bank, Nassau BOCES, Western Suffolk BOCES, and Eastern Suffolk BOCES and rightfinancialadvisor.com.
Westhampton Beach HS students are, left to right: left to right: Olivia Horbatiuk, Connor Glynn, Alex Kravitz, Ashley Cunniff, VEI Judge and sponsor, Rick Cross, Frank Leotta, Freesia Ferrantino, and Justin Smith. Photo Credit: VEI.
JFK High School’s On The Move “firm” is a company that sells luggage, travel kits and accessories as well as innovative products such as a GPS system for consumer luggage. Hewlett’s Flash Comm firm sells phone, Internet, Utilities (gas and electric), Solar Electricity, Wireless Services and phones (iPhones and Galaxies) at the guaranteed lowest prices in Virtual Enterprise. Westhampton Beach students took third place with their firm Helios. West Hampton Beach students submitted their firm’s plan to provide eco-friendly technology products from Helios, powered by renewable energy. Helios is also starting a solar panel division this school year, according to students.
“VEI is the real world program you wish you had in high school, it helps prepare students for college careers and for life,” said Ellen Palazzo, VEI’s Long Island Regional Director, adding more than 700 Long Island high school students, representing 34 school districts, presented their “virtual businesses” plans to VEI this year.
