Inaugural Entrepreneurship Business Expo hosted at MVHS

Students in Bernadette Romanelli’s and Inger Stapleton's Entrepreneurship classes proudly displayed their business endeavors to fellow classmates, teachers, administrators and business owners on Tuesday morning during the inaugural Entrepreneurship Business Expo.

As part of Career and Technical Education week, MVHS students showcased their extravagant ambitions to the community.

For this initiative, students were tasked with creating their own business by utilizing what they have learned in class, such as the Business Model Canvas. This is a visual representation of the nine key fundamentals of every successful business.

Throughout the winter, professors from the College of Westchester visited MVHS to present workshops to entrepreneurship students. Afterwards, the class would gear their lessons around what they learned from the visiting professors.

“Building businesses is one of my passions; I love helping people and I especially love helping the students,” said Ms. Romanelli. “So, launching something after we did the entire process, you can't explain it, it's just very rewarding."

Students are now applying their classroom knowledge to establish their own businesses. Some of the endeavors include online tutoring sessions and customized jewelry. For the expo, students created a variety of media and resources to promote their brand such as video content, flyers, social media and brochures. 

“Making a business was truly radical,” said Shamar Stewart, a senior at MVHS. “My favorite part was becoming chairman and CEO of my business.”

For the expo, students were judged on their work by college professors and local businesses in the area, such as Teresa Weber from All Heart Baking Co. in Mount Vernon. 

“The students have been really interested and engaged and learning about entrepreneurship,” said Noel Dallacco, Community Relations and Adjunct Professor at the College of Westchester. “I hope we can do this again next year. It seems like a great initiative.”

To see more of what Career and Technical Education has to offer, visit the CTE/Transition Fair at MVHS on May 9 from 9 to11 a.m.