On Dec. 5, the CHSD held its annual Bellmore-Merrick Business Challenge, a competition in which teams comprised of members of all three high schools plan, present, and defend a position in one of five business categories.

“There were 25 teams comprised of three students from each of three high schools participating in the competition,” explained organizer Mark Melkonian, who also serves as an assistant principal at Calhoun High School. 

 The categories included Retail Marketing, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Hospitality Services, Entrepreneurship and Technology.  

“We are grateful to our professional and academic judges, and local leaders, for supporting our students and business education programs,” Melkonian added.  

In addition to the competition, a college expo was held giving the students an opportunity to speak with representatives from Adelphi University, Hofstra University, LIU Post, Molloy University, Queens College, Fashion Institute of Technology, Stony Brook University, and SUNY Farmingdale.  

Judges included college representatives, and local leaders, including Sen. Rhoads, Legis. Seth Koslow and Legis. Michael Giangregorio. 

Keynote speaker, Joseph Di Salvo, founder and managing partner of the Di Salvo Group and professor at New York University offered inspirational words to students. 

Lunch was provided by Piccolo Ristorante in Bellmore, live music was performed by the Calhoun String ensemble, and the event was covered by the district Bellmore-Merrick Broadcast program, which is housed at Mepham High School. In addition to the competition, a college expo was held, giving the students an opportunity to speak with representatives from various  

Congratulations to these 2024 BMBC champions: 

• Retail Marketing:Giavannah Posner(Calhoun), Victoria Haloulakos (Kennedy), Tommy Augugliaro (Mepham) 
• Sports & Entertainment Marketing: Kaitlyn Stibritz(Calhoun), Keira Conforti (Kennedy), Peter Kanellopoulos (Mepham) 
• Hospitality Services:Nick Tina(Calhoun), Hendrick Capo (Kennedy), Thomas Youssef (Mepham) 
• Entrepreneurship: Lucas Fazio(Calhoun), Christian Cruz (Kennedy), Giuliana Forino (Mepham) 
• Technology: Ellie Ramlowtan(Calhoun),Leena Phillips(Calhoun), Tong Chen (Mepham) 
   

Click here to view the CHSD Hosts Annual Business Challenge slideshow.