Miller Place High School Virtual Enterprise Students Are Top 10 Percent In Nation

Some of Miller Place High School's Virtual Enterprise students are celebrating a national achievement after their student-run firm, RetroBites, earned a spot in the top 10 percent nationwide in the 2026 Virtual Enterprises (VE) National Newsletter Competition.

Representing the VE New York State region, RetroBites was recognized for its strong business strategy, creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial skills during the nationwide evaluation. The national competition is open to participating Virtual Enterprise firms from across the United States that choose to submit their work for consideration, but only 17 schools earned top 10 percent recognition in this particular competition.

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"RetroBites' national recognition is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of the students' creativity, teamwork, and dedication," said Thomas Fank, Miller Place High School Business Education Teacher and Virtual Enterprise Facilitator. "I am incredibly proud of the work they put into building their business and representing Miller Place on the national stage."

Throughout the process, students gained hands-on experience in the many facets of running a business, from developing a brand and managing finances to creating products, overseeing human resources, and building a marketing strategy.

RetroBites was created as a virtual business simulation by Miller Place High School's Period 3 VE class during the 2025-26 school year. The company developed a throwback-style food and beverage concept inspired by classic arcades and diners, offering nostalgic snacks and discontinued food and drink products designed to bring together the flavors and experiences of the past and present.

The students' main mission was to recreate the happiness and comfort associated with classic foods while developing the skills necessary to operate a successful business. Throughout the school year, students gained hands-on experience in the many facets of running a business, from developing a brand and managing finances to creating products, overseeing human resources, and building a marketing strategy.

The team proudly added its national recognition certificate that it received this month to the "VE Wall of Fame" in Room 240, where higher achievements are displayed to recognize the accomplishments of Virtual Enterprise students for years to come.

The Miller Place School District congratulates the RetroBites leadership and business team, which includes:

• Nick Russo — Chief Executive Officer
• Charlotte Davidson — Chief Financial Officer
• Josh Mcdonald — Chief Operating Officer
• Marc Lindemann — Chief Marketing Officer
• Peyton Anderson — Chief of Design
• Keira Felser — Chief of H.R.
• Jordel Vigfusson — Accounts Payable
• Ava Ficarola — Inventory Specialist
• R.J. Rau — Accounts Receivable
• Christopher Di Gennaro— Payroll Manager
• Brett Winslow — Marketing Manager 1
• Luke Angelo — Marketing Manager 2
• Dena Lehmann — Product Manager
• Erik Eichler — Sales Manager 1
• John Chiaramonte — Sales Manager 2
• John Scarfogliero — Sales Manager 3
• Jacob Marcario — Sales Manager 4
• Paige Reitan — Website/Social Media Manager
• Elissa Feldman — Graphic Designer
• Kayla McDonnell — Graphic Designer
• Dominick Blandi — H.R. Manager
• Nicolas Freire — H.R. Manager

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District's website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and 'like' our Facebook page.