Two Lynbrook High School juniors were recognized for their business knowledge after earning top honors in a Long Island competition — an achievement they say would not have been possible without the support of their teachers and each other.
Regan Casey and Skylar Wolfkoff placed first and second, respectively, in the Business Principles category of the Long Island Business Teachers Association competition March 31 at Lynbrook High. The contest challenged students’ leadership, entrepreneurship and management skills as well as their structuring of business operations.
Casey and Wolfkoff, who serve as co-chief operating officers in the high school’s Virtual Enterprise class, said the experience tested not only their knowledge, but also their time management and confidence.
“I was completely shocked,” Casey said of earning first place. “Going through that test was one of the hardest I’ve ever taken, mostly because it’s not something you learn by the books. A lot of it comes from experience and research you have to do on your own.”
Wolfkoff echoed those sentiments, explaining that the student competitors received only a basic outline beforehand and were expected to independently deepen their understanding of the material.
“We were told about it two weeks before,” she said. “We managed our time wisely and studied whenever we could. It’s hard to balance everything, but you have to suck it up if you want to reach for the stars.”
Both students credited Lynbrook’s business program — and particularly business teachers Benedict Tieniber and Jamie Kuethen — for preparing them to succeed. The pair repeatedly praised their teachers and classmates for creating a supportive environment.
“We have the best business program thanks to the best business teachers ever,” Wolfkoff said. “We wouldn’t have access to this opportunity without our business teachers.”
Casey added that the classes helped her discover an unexpected passion for business. “My first business class was business law, sophomore year,” she said. “I thought it was primarily law, but I didn’t realize how much business was involved with contracts and negotiations. It widened my perspective, and I wouldn’t have found this passion if it wasn’t for Lynbrook High School.”
The students stood out, Tieniber said, because of the leadership skills they developed in Virtual Enterprise, a course in which they operate a mock business and gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and management.
“They seemed like the perfect candidates to take that exam,” Tieniber said. “What we’re teaching in the classroom is translating to real-life situations. This test shows they’re prepared for the future.”
Lynbrook students have become increasingly successful in the competition in recent years, according to Tieniber. Thirteen of them placed in the top four in a number of categories this year.
“It’s our third year doing it,” he said. “The first year we had two students place, then six, and now 13. Jamie and I are beyond proud of these students.”
Kuethen, who is completing her first year of teaching at the high school, said she was inspired by the dedication students showed while balancing demanding schedules inside and outside school. “They have come such a long way and dedicated so much time and energy into pushing themselves,” she said, adding of Tieniber, “Doc and I are so incredibly proud.”
Outside the classroom, Casey competes on an elite travel volleyball team, and Wolfkoff said the pair relied heavily on organization and teamwork to prepare.
“We’ve been partners through it all,” Wolfkoff said.
Lynbrook High Principal Matthew Sarosy said the students’ accomplishments reflect both their hard work and the strength of the school’s Career and Technical Education program.
“Regan and Skylar are terrific representations of Lynbrook High School, and they truly deserve the LIBTA recognition,” Sarosy wrote in an email. “They continue to represent our Career and Technical Education Department in the best ways.”
Casey said she plans to eventually study law, and Wolfkoff said he is interested in becoming an industrial psychologist.
