Deer Park High School’s first Virtual Enterprise business class participated in the Long Island Regional Business Plan Competition and Trade Show, held on Jan. 10 at LIU Post’s Brookville campus. Under the banner of Supercharged, a venture conceived by 20 talented students, Deer Park’s VE firm showcased battery-powered portable chargers. This innovative class, taught by Annemarie Lenio, provides hands-on learning, breaking the mold of traditional education by fostering creativity and collaboration.

The students of Supercharged demonstrated exceptional prowess by clinching Gold in the Best Booth, Sales Material and Sales Pitch competitions. Engaging all departments – from chief officers to art and design – contributed to their success. Navigating a bustling event with 72 high schools and companies, they not only increased sales but also networked extensively, gaining valuable insights into running a business. Impressively, Supercharged raked in $68,608 in sales.

Deer Park students Lucas DiVanna, Damon Ierulli, Melissa Laguerre, Alexis Lazarte, Joel Nash and Katia Papailler showcased their skills in the National Business Plan Competition. This included presenting an executive summary covering business rationales, marketing plans and financial highlights, followed by an 8-10 minute presentation before judges.

Eager to build on their success, Supercharged is gearing up for upcoming trade shows at Lynbrook High School on March 26 and the Javits Center in Manhattan on April 12. Their journey exemplifies the transformative impact of practical, hands-on learning in shaping the business leaders of tomorrow.

Date Added: 2/20/2024