Seen above are Shivraj Bhoj, Kurt Pohlig, Andrea Parra, Sheyenne Mammina, Arpit Akruwala, Meliz Jimenez, Parth Patel, Ronak Patel, Saul Gootnick, Michael Sypa, Joseph Pistilli, Dafne Panayiotou, Ruth Bernal, Silvio Cifuentes, Salvatore DiMartino, Keith Van Sader.(L. to r.); Salvatore DiMartino, Saul Gootnick, Joseph Pistilli, Keith Van Sader, Dafne Panayiotou. On February 7, Forest Hills H.S. honored First Central Savings Bank President Joseph Pistilli as Principal for a Day. The event included a presentation from students in the Forest Hills H. S. Virtual Enterprise Program. The program offers students the opportunity to experience, in a simulated business environment, all facets of being an employee in a firm.    
It’s a business that is set up and run by students to prepare them for working in a real business environment. With the guidance of teachers Robert Suydam, John Litkowski and real-world business partners, the students determine the nature of their business, its products, services, management, structure and engage in the daily operations of running a business.  The students use current business software, communications, and the Internet for business transactions.
 The school’s firm is called Velocity International and they sell, virtually, extreme sporting goods to local schools in all five boroughs as well as the schools that participate in Virtual Enterprise around the world.
There are many events and competitions that the class can compete in. This year the Business Plan Team once again qualified for the NYC-Citywide Business Plan Competition based on their strong Queens performance. Two students went to California for a trade fair event and the entire class is preparing for the NYC Trade Fair coming up in March.
 Along with receiving the entire corporate experience, students have the opportunity to do internships with the many partners of the Virtual Enterprise Network such as the prestigious Federal Reserve Bank.  
Students have fun while learning and preparing for The Real World.
 First Central Savings Bank and Meridian Capital Group, along with their generous donations, are helping support the program and the continued learning of the students.