Skip To Main Content

Inaugural Entrepreneurship Business Expo hosted at MVHS

Students posing for the camera.
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.

Students smiling for the camera with teacher.
Students presenting to judges.
Student talking to board president.


 

CTE department smiling for the camera.

 

Snapshot from MVHS ACE Earth day celebration.
MVHS ACE students honor Earth Day in several ways

Mount Vernon High School’s Earth Day celebration brought together a warm and lively group of students, families, and staff for a meaningful morning of learning and community. Parents joined alongside teachers, Coach Florez, Mr. Green, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Francis, and Mr. Fingerling, each accompanied by their classes, to support the student-led presentations and activities.

Teenager with braided hair in headshot
Shining on to Graduation: Zorien Barden describes his leadership

In the first edition of Shining on to Graduation, Mount Vernon High School senior Zorien discusses how he leads through discipline, resilience and steady effort amid dreams of becoming a professional football player. You can read more about Zorien, whose graduation and college are right around the corner, on our website here.

Boy in Nike sweatshirt poses for headshot
Shining Knights: Zorien Barden describes quiet but impactful drive at MVHS

He is not the loudest voice in the room. But on the field, in the classroom and within himself, Zorien Barden has learned how to be heard. The Mount Vernon High School senior describes himself as someone who keeps to his own lane — focused, disciplined and introspective. “I don’t like to talk a lot. I do my work, I try to get to class on time, get to school on time — stuff like that,” he said,

Students preping meal with Sergeant.
CTE culinary students get a taste of military meals

Mount Vernon High School students in Culinary 3 got a taste of what military members eat while out on the battlefield on Tuesday morning with Marine Staff Sergeant Halmrast, who introduced students to meals ready to eat (MRE).

Girl with short, curly hair and glasses in headshot
Shining Knights: MVHS senior Destiny Adair finds her voice and future in advocacy

Destiny Adair, a 17-year-old Mount Vernon High School senior, has spent much of her life learning how to speak up — and just as importantly, when not to back down. She describes herself as someone who wants to be heard even when others might stay quiet. That instinct, forged over years in the classroom, on teams and in her community, is now guiding her toward a future in law.

Shining Knights: MVHS senior Dashon Brown eyes career in screenwriting
Shining Knights: MVHS senior Dashon Brown eyes career in screenwriting

For Dashon Brown, storytelling is about creating moments that stay with people long after the screen fades to black. A senior at Mount Vernon High School, Dashon is preparing to study film in college, driven by a belief that movies can create deep, lasting ties between people.

The image shows a man in a suit standing in front of a large banner that reads "CTE • MVHS CYBER TALK".
MVHS Cybersecurity Center: A New Standard in Technical Education

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Cybersecurity pathway at Mount Vernon High School has reached a transformative milestone through the contributions of computer science educator and industry expert, Juliano Alves De Souza. Since joining MVHS in the fall of 2025, Mr. De Souza has leveraged his extensive professional background to provide students with an exceptional learning experience.