NEWS

Team Challenge

by Julian Hurtado

Last Friday, students from Ocean Township’s Spartan School of Business and Finance competed for the first time in the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce “Team Challenge.” In years past, the competition was primarily between the schools of the Freehold Regional School District. This year, however, we saw the addition of a few new contenders, including our very own Spartans.

The competition follows a simple format. First, students are given an ethical dilemma pertaining to business. Then, they spend the next two months researching and creating a solution to the dilemma. Finally, all teams present their findings and recommendations to a panel of judges. This year, the ethical dilemma focused on social media, digital footprints, and their potential impact on the hiring process.

Despite being newcomers, the Spartans made an impressive debut, winning third place overall. Led by Coach James Young, the team dedicated countless lunch periods and after-school sessions to research, plan, and refine their presentation. The final result was a presentation that earned them a top-three placement in the Team Challenge, which is unheard of for a first-year team. With this momentum, combined with a strong business program and experienced leadership, the Spartans look poised to become a dominant force in the competition going forward.