Smithtown HS West Team Wins Business Olympics

SMITHTOWN, NY — A pitch for an old-school entertainment facility earned the honors of best business plan at the Smithtown Central School District’s 27th annual Business Olympics on Nov. 17 inside the Smithtown High School West auditorium, according to a news release from the district.

The “Gen Zillionaires” team of Carmella Piccininni, Abby Portela, Katie Magee and Sean Carroll from Smithtown High School West were chosen by a group of professional judges and also by a separate vote from their student peers as the winning group among the eight finalists.

Each team member collected a $75 first-place prize.

Their business plan included an entertainment facility with a bowling alley, pool tables, arcade, dance floor and an old-school diner.

Business students from both Smithtown high schools competed for the top business plan in the finals of the Business Olympics after advancing from an earlier virtual round. This year’s theme was "Hometown Makeover."

Teams of students were charged with creating a business, including selecting a real-life vacant storefront in Smithtown.

Students prepared commercials for their businesses and discussed promotion, pricing, target markets and potential threats. The finalists’ concepts included a greenhouse with fresh foods, miniature golf, a retro entertainment center, a workout facility with a social component, drive-in movie theater, medical office and café with board games.

The eight finalists presented their business plans “Shark Tank”-style in front of judges as well as in front of other students and family members.

The teams had advanced to the finals by previously competing virtually against other teams. In all, a combined 200 business students from Smithtown volunteered to compete with proposals.

Local people and businesses donated prizes, including Duck Donuts, Chick-Fil-A, Apple Bank, Hanover Bank, Grace Guiffrida Plourde attorney at law and C2 Education, which each provided gifts of $250 or more.

More than 80 judges volunteered across all rounds.

"Monkey Business," a team that included Madison Hilman, Isabella Manzi, Sophia Mohrmann, Josie Muratore and Meghan Theofeld from High School West, won a student vote for best commercial.