It was a night of awards, honors and networking for High School East and West students who recently attended the annual Business Etiquette Dinner at the Windwatch Golf and Country Club.

Students from the School of Business in the CTE Department were awarded their Mastery of Business Achievement (MBA) and Personal Higher Degree (PHD) as well as being inducted into the New York State Business Honor Society.

The event is a collaboration between the CTE School of Business and the Industry Advisory Board business partners, as part of their partnership with the district. 

Mrs. LoFrese, CTE Director, addressed the students to take the time to network with the business people at their tables and take advantage of this unique opportunity that the School of Business offers for its students.  “Our goal is to provide students with exceptional opportunities to help them be successful in college and the workplace.” 

Mr. Como, Executive Director of the IAB, acknowledged the sponsors and thanked them for their support of the students and our programs. This event would not be possible without the partnership the IAB and School of Business have with the local community. 

During the etiquette portion of the evening, the students heard from Michael Mannix, of  Unparalleled Performance, on the 5L’s of Leadership.  Mr. Mannix engaged the students and adults by presenting them with an interactive presentation about what it takes to be an effective leader and have balance in your life to be successful. 

According to Mr. Mannix, "I am extremely passionate about leadership and the development of future leaders. I believe that the true measure of success is gauged on the

amount of lives you touch and leave for the better. Effective leaders aren't driven to lead others, they are driven to serve them."

Mrs. LoFrese and Mr. Phil Como also presented Veronica Bencivenga, owner of Duck Donuts,  and Christopher Elsesser, Assistant Principal of HSW, with an Honorary PHD due to their dedication to the School of Business events and their constant support of the students and programs.  

Ms. Bencivenga was the Keynote Speaker and addressed the students and parents about following their passion and working hard.  She brought with her fortune cookies and walked around having students pick out fortune cookies and reading the fortunes to show they are applicable to what they are doing now in school and can shape their decisions and work ethic.  Ms. Bencivenga provided words of wisdom to the students about taking a risk and finding your passion and taking advantage of all the opportunities afforded to you. 

Thirty students were awarded their PHD and 71 students their MBA and inducted into the New York State Business Honor Society. 

Check out our slide show for all the pictures!