LI students present simulated businesses at Virtual Enterprises competition
Nearly 2,000 students competed earlier this month during Virtual Enterprises International's Long Island Regional Conference and Exhibition at LIU Post. Credit: Rossana Weitekamp
Twenty-eight simulated businesses created by area high schoolers achieved gold status in various categories of Virtual Enterprises International's Long Island Regional Conference and Exhibition.
The event, held this month at LIU Post, included nearly 2,000 students from more than 80 high schools showcasing more than 100 fictional companies. Categories ranged from best commercial to best website.
Participants also made booths to display products and services and performed mock sales transactions using point-of-sale systems on mobile devices.
"These students have the opportunity through events like this to develop career readiness skills that are going to set them apart when they move from high school into college and ultimately their careers," Virtual Enterprises International president Nick Chapman said.
Gold-status businesses and their high schools were: "Waves Works," Babylon; "SuppLI," Baldwin; "MiSport," Bethpage; "STEALTH," Bethpage; "Plenty Package," H. Frank Carey; "A Lil Twist," Carle Place; "Outlast Outerwear," Carle Place; "Infinity Bars," Herricks; "The Party Project," Herricks; "Comforting Canines," George W. Hewlett; "Entertainment Express," Islip; "Worldwide Entertainment Corporation," Islip; "Delta Dorms," Jericho; "Caffeine Dreamin'," Lindenhurst; "Glow Games," Mattituck; "TruView VR," Wellington C. Mepham; "Amplify Audio," Miller Place; "Snap Shack," Miller Place; "Sol Energy," Mount Sinai; "T. Merchants," New Hyde Park; "Brama Chocolates," Oceanside; "Nova," Patchogue-Medford; "Home Pros," Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK; "TRUBLU Technologies," Smithtown West; "Tota Vita," Syosset; "At Your Service," West Hempstead; "A Helping Hand," West Hempstead; and "Sway," Westhampton Beach.
WEST BABYLON
Hall of Fame
In Valley Stream, Clear Stream Avenue Elementary School sixth-grader Zuri Cameron received the surprise of her life last month when her father, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Charles Cameron, popped into her classroom after returning from a yearlong deployment. Credit: Valley Stream School District 30
The West Babylon school district recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new Hall of Fame wall in the high school's lobby in partnership with the West Babylon Alumni Foundation.
The foundation has inducted 45 individuals since its first induction dinner in 2009. Past inductees have included late Sen. Owen H. Johnson and Legis. Thomas Cilmi (R-Bay Shore).
"The Hall of Fame is a great tribute to the many individuals who have contributed to our school district," West Babylon Superintendent Yiendhy Farrelly said.
COUNTYWIDE
Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School recently received 53 autographed copies of novels written by distinguished Americans donated by Walter M. O'Connell, left, and his brother, Christopher O'Connell, who are alumni and sons of the school's namesake. They are pictured here with Copiague Superintendent Kathleen Bannon. Credit: Copiague School District
Clothing drives
Many area schools are spreading warmth to those in need through winter clothing drives.
In Deer Park, the high school's Community Service Club and Red Cross Club donated more than 100 coats to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. The coats will be provided to homeless men, women, children and veterans.
In West Islip, third-graders in Maria Lucie and Alissa Rush's classes at Bayview Elementary School collected and sorted more than 100 coats for CSJ Learning Connection for Adult Education in Brentwood.
In Lake Ronkonkoma, second-graders at Hiawatha Elementary School have been collecting items, including new and gently used coats, hats and scarves that will be given to an area shelter for distribution.
In East Setauket, Minnesauke Elementary School students recently learned rules of the road as they rolled through a mock town set up in the gymnasium as part of the school's Safety Town program. Credit: Three Village Central School District
ISLANDWIDE
Calendar contest
Twelve Long Island students were winners in a Peace Poster Art Contest coordinated by the Shanti Fund, a Medford-based organization committed to enlightenment and peace through education. For winning, their artwork appears in the organization's 2019 calendar and they received prize money ranging from $101 to $1,201 based on their grade level.
Winners were: Heidi Almskog, James Wilson Young Middle School in Bayport; Kraig Benson, William Floyd Elementary School in Shirley; Rosita Boherquez, MacArthur High School in Levittown; Joyce Chen, Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington; Keren Dial, Valley Stream South High School; Lily Gomez, William Paca Middle School in Mastic Beach; Hailey Herfel, Fort Salonga Elementary School; Theresa Kelly, Park View Elementary School in Kings Park; Sania Parikh, Howard B. Mattlin Middle School in Plainview; Laiyla Salome-Diaz, New Visions School in Freeport; Lilian Sanchez-Diaz, Greenport Elementary School; and Nethmi Withanage, Smithtown High School East.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
9 arraigned in missing girl case ... Joann closing 2 LI stores ... 90 couples renewed vows ... Romantic spas in the winter
9 arraigned in missing girl case ... Joann closing 2 LI stores ... 90 couples renewed vows ... Romantic spas in the winter
