Huntington High School Virtual Enterprise business program teams are once again excelling in competition. The Paladin and Artemis company teams advanced to the semi-final round of the VE International business plan contest.
The competition drew 100 firms with 40 moving on to the semi-final round. The teams will present again on February 16. Only ten company teams will move on to the nationals.
The contest “challenges VE students from across the country to demonstrate their global business expertise through written business plans and oral presentations,” according to the organization’s website. “The competition showcases best practices, rewards excellence, and trains high school students to apply sophisticated knowledge and skills attributed to business professionals and college students. Teams from across the country participate in local and regional competitions to qualify for this event. The competition represents an opportunity for the VE community to motivate and reward its best performing VE teams and builds momentum for an already fast growing, unique program.”
Paladin’s presentation team included Caroline O’Rourke (chief executive officer), Ryan Porzio (chief operating officer), Keira Francis (chief business officer), Neha Rathore (chief human resources officer) and Jazlyn Chapas-Oliva (chief technical officer).
Artemis’ presentation team included Sophie Bradford (chief executive officer), Angie Hernandez (chief operating officer), Vincent Grassi (VP administration) and McKenna Buffa (chief technical officer).
“Considering all the hard work, time, and effort the entire team has put into this company day in and day out, I am not surprised we advanced,” said Ms. O’Rourke about Paladin. “I am extremely proud of the work we all put in and am more than excited to see what is next for us as a team and as a company!”
Both groups of Huntington teenagers were dressed like business executives and their poise, maturity and ability to think fast on their feet impressed judges.
“This first round of competitions was such a great experience to learn more about how we can further our companies and how businesses carry out these competitions in the real world,” said Ms. Bradford about Artemis. “Thanks to my wonderful presentation team we moved on to the second round and I couldn’t be more excited to keep furthering the reach of Artemis.”
“The National Business Plan Competition showcases some of the best and brightest student leaders and budding entrepreneurs in the country,” the Virtual Enterprise International website states.
Huntington’s Virtual Enterprise class is a full-year, one credit business course that is 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.
