On April 19, 2016, VEI celebrated its 20th anniversary at its fourth annual Gala, an event that drew 375 leaders from education and business who gathered to see and support the future of business. Several current and former VEI students played key roles at the event. Watch the videos below to hear their stories.
Usha Sookai, CEO of iParty from MSÂ 137 in Queens, New York and a VE-JV Career Academy student, who served as emcee for the night.
Abrar Ayub, Darnell Jean-Charles, Nick DeSanto, and Lana Koretsky, VEI Class of 2005 from Edward R. Murrow HS in New York, NY, who shared how VEI shaped their future careers by serving in roles in their high school VE that provided a path to their current professional jobs.
Jasmine Andrews, COO of Trojan Wall from Thomas Jefferson High School in Tampa, Florida, who talked about the ways that VEI empowers young women to find their inner strength and believe in their capacity to become business leaders.
Cesar N. Gonzalez (inaugural recipient, Joseph P. Delaney Alumni Award)
Vice President, Marlin Gold Mining and Consultant, Wexford Capital
Class of ‘01, Shafter HS, Bakersfield, CA
Presented by: Dean McGee, Deputy Superintendent,
Kern HS District, Bakersfield