Huntington High School’s BioSol Virtual Enterprise company is headed to the Long Island business plan competition championship round after being selected as one of 10 finalists from a field of 103 firms.
BioSol will vie against firms from Baldwin, Carey, East Islip, Hewlett, Mepham, Miller Place, Syosset, Walt Whitman and Westhampton Beach in the competition hosted by American Portfolios Financial Services in Holbrook on Tuesday, February 25.
BioSol lays claim to being the producer of the “first-ever” biodegradable sunscreen wipes using only 100 per cent all-natural ingredients that are healthier for the skin and can be safely disposed of environmentally after their use.
BioSol donates five percent of its profits toward environmental research and another five percent to help those who have fallen victim to skin cancer.
“Over the past two months, BioSol created a 30 page business plan,” said senior Charles O’Rourke, the company’s CEO. “Then last month, BioSol along with the other two VE firms from Huntington went to LIU Post for the Long Island Regional Trade Show. More than 100 different firms were there. Every team had a booth and every team had to give a business plan presentation at some point during the day. We were awarded with the second best booth out of all of the firms.”
The Virtual Enterprise course features students developing and operating a simulated business within a corporate structure to prepare them for the real life business world.
“It is an amazing feeling to see our hard work throughout the last couple months pay off,” Mr. O’Rourke said. “I couldn’t be more proud of my entire class. I think we have something truly special at BioSol.
The executive team also includes Marissa Stafford (vice president for marketing), Matt Gennarelli (chief operating officer), Alex Gonzalez (chief financial officer), Sarah Giarriaputo (human resources administrator), John Holly (chief sales officer), Andreas Seferian (vice president of design needs) and Isaiah James (office manager).
“We are all very excited and eager to participate in the next round of the competition,” Mr. Gonzalez said. “The executives and the entire class have together worked extremely hard on the business plan to present the best image of our company.”
Junior Harrison Cozine has been called the “brain” behind BioSol’s “billion dollar” idea. Mackenzie Eccles artistic abilities and Nick Lomler’s impressive skills with Adobe Photoshop and digital design have also helped BioSol gain an edge. The company team also includes vital members Alexa Amorison, Ben Collins, Jack Flores, Aiden Franznick, Liam Hassett, Owen Husselbeck, Charles Kiviat, Marcus Maerz, Eunice-Bonita Ramos, Cameron Santa-Maria and Christopher Weber.
A full-year, one credit business course available to juniors and seniors, “Virtual Enterprise is a simulated business that is set-up and run by students to prepare them for working in a real business environment,” according to the high school’s course bulletin.
Virtual Enterprise was first offered last year at Huntington High School. Three sections of the class are running this year. BioSol’s fellow VE companies are Snooz³ and Titan.
BioSol’s class is taught by business teacher Paige Furman.
