On Dec. 19, the Central High School District hosted its first Business Challenge, a business competition in which teams planned, presented and defended a position in one of five business categories.
The categories are Finance, Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism, Entrepreneurship and Sports and Entertainment Marketing. There were 20 teams comprised of three students from Kennedy, Mepham and Calhoun high Schools, participating in the competition.
“We featured a college expo during the day at the competition,” explained Calhoun High School Vice Principal and co-organizer Mark Melkonian.
Participating colleges and universities include LIU Post, Hofstra University, Molloy College, Adelphi University and Farmingdale State University.
“We had many distinguished professionals serving as judges from both the academic and non-academic world,” added Melkonian.
Teams and first-place winners from each of the five categories include:
Finance: Allison Flynn (Calhoun), Liam Dorn (Kennedy), Ryan Kertzner (Mepham). Entrepreneurship: Olivia Perrone (Calhoun), Lexi Baldinger (Kennedy), Ceyhun Erken (Mepham). Hospitality & Tourism: Julia Oaldiapo (Calhoun), Ryan Zaslansky (Kennedy), Julia Roseman (Mepham). Sports & Entertainment: Max Unlu (Calhoun), Andre Puig (Kennedy), Rocco Law (Mepham). Marketing/Not- for- Profit Fundraising: Alyssa Formisano (Calhoun), Gialuca Caravello (Kennedy), William McCormack (Mepham).
Special thanks are extended to Piccolo Restaurant and Roma Pizza for providing food, the district’s administrative building for hosting the event, former board member Joe Perrone for volunteering as the keynote speakers, judges, and other staff and administrators who assisted.
“We are excited for future Bellmore-Merrick Business Challenge competitions and events,” added Melkonian.