Huntington High School Virtual Enterprise business students sharpened their skills at the Long Island VE Leadership Conference at LIU Post, participating in a newly designed event that focused on the characteristics of effective executives.
The Huntington students listened to the experiences of successful college professors, business leaders and entrepreneurs. Sessions provided an opportunity to collaborate and network with VE alumni and other VE student leaders from firms across Long Island.
The Huntington students were accompanied by high school business teacher Paige Tyree Furman. The teenagers represented their Virtual Enterprise firms.
“The leadership conference was a great experience for our Real World team,” Timothy Kusterbeck said. “We learned a lot of valuable leadership skills and got to meet other VE companies from across Long Island. It was a great chance to get our name out there and to tell the other VE firms there what Real World is [all about.] Our company idea was very well received by the many people we spoke to, so I am excited to showcase our company at the upcoming trade shows.”
The Huntington contingent came decked out in sharp business attire. “I enjoyed collaborating with other people and working together to make a successful pitch,” Riley Murtagh said. “It allowed us to get to know more people as well, which was very fun.”
A full-year, one credit business course, “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.
“I had an amazing time at the LIU leadership conference,” Reese Rinaldi said. “I learned so much from each of the speakers and I am very excited to use those skills to improve PULSE. Not only was this conference a great learning experience, but it also was an incredible way to connect with other firms on Long Island.”
The Huntington business students returned to the high school with a new sense of purpose and increased energy and enthusiasm for the tasks at hand as they seek to strengthen their companies for the work ahead.
“It was really fun meeting the other kids from the different firms and creating a product that our group pitched to the panel of judges,” Sophie Lange said. “We ended up winning 10,000 'VE dollars' for our firm!”
