Mt. Hope High School Highlights Business and Finance Pathway As Part of Career and Technical Education Month
Students in Bristol Warren’s Business and Finance pathway at a DECA excursion. (Photo Courtesy Bristol Warren Regional School District)
BRISTOL — Superintendent Ana C. Riley and Principal Michelle King wish to highlight Mt. Hope High School’s Business and Finance pathway as part of Career and Technical Education Month.
A total of 98 students are currently enrolled in the program. Students can take an Intro to Business course during their freshman year. This course exposes students to a variety of topics including marketing, finance, entrepreneurship and management. After completing the class, students can choose whether they are interested in pursuing a route in marketing or finance.
The pathway is designed to prepare students for the real world and to provide skills that can be used whether they choose to go to college or straight into the workforce upon graduation. Topics learned in class are applied to real projects through internships, DECA, and community projects with local companies and more. Additionally, students can obtain 3 college credits to the University of Rhode Island through the pathway’s Accounting course.
“Our Business and Finance pathway is a great way for students who are interested in learning about business to gain knowledge in many different areas before leaving high school,” Superintendent Riley said. “Students engage in hands-on projects supported by instructors and community partners, which allows them to develop skills that can be applied in many different aspects of life and career.”
Sydney DiChiappari, a junior in the pathway, applied the marketing skills she learned in General Management class to create a logo for a Think Tank event hosted by the Warren Chamber of Commerce last school year. DiChiappari and her group worked with local businesses to design a logo for the event, which featured a lightbulb and a bridge. She also attended the event and was able to network and gain connections with local professionals.
“I joined this pathway because I wanted to learn skills that I can use in the real world,” DiChiappari said. “This is a great program and I have gotten so much out of it like developing team-building skills that will help me be successful in any path I choose.”
Junior Olivia Labonte used the skills she learned in General Management class to create and design a trifold for the Town of Warren’s student summer mentorship program. The trifold was placed in public spaces in town. Olivia and her group identified the target market, which included parents and students of different ages. They designed the trifold so that it would resonate with each group.
“Business is a broad degree and I am not sure exactly what area I want to go into, but this program was a great place to start,” Olivia said. “I love the classes in this pathway because they are interesting, hands on, and give me a taste of the world of business.”
Junior Siena Sousa was offered a social media internship by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island after working on a community project in collaboration with the organization. Sousa encourages students in eighth grade to consider joining the pathway because of the many opportunities it presents.
“I tell eighth graders to join because it’s fun, you get to experience the real world, it broadens your mind, and you engage in hands-on learning,” Sousa said.
To learn more about the pathways offered at the high school, click here. Prospective students and families are invited to a CTE Open House on March 1 from 6-8 p.m
About CTE Month
CTE Month is an annual campaign by the Association for Career and Technical Education that seeks to bring national awareness to the value of career and technical education and the benefit it brings young people looking to gain knowledge, experience and skills in various industries.
