About Us
What Is Operation Elevate?
Operation Elevate is a non-profit initiative dedicated to equipping high school students, ages 14-18, with valuable entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and tools that will impact their daily lives and future endeavors. We held bi-weekly events for students from W.T. Clarke High School and East Meadow High School, incorporating educational seminars, interactive workshops, competitions, and more. To broaden its reach, Operation Elevate actively creates and shares content on social media. The program follows a cumulative, step-by-step approach, ensuring students receive detailed and practical guidance. Currently, Operation Elevate is funded through a network of supporters, including the W.T. Clarke DECA Chapter, and through fundraisers organized by project managers.
Our mission is simple. We aim to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in our community. Operation Elevate uses the acronym “PEAK” to define our approach and achieve our goals. We actively aim to help students reach their “PEAK” potential by preparing them with essential entrepreneurial knowledge, tools, and skills, engaging them in interactive activities that encourage creativity and teamwork, altering their perspectives and mindset to embrace action and innovation, and keeping them connected beyond the classroom to build and sustain their entrepreneurial foundation. Through this comprehensive strategy, Operation Elevate equips students with the tools and mindset to thrive in their entrepreneurial journey.
Who Are We?
As a Group
Operation Elevate is composed of a total of six people, all based at W.T. Clarke High School in New York. The team is run by three students who assumed the role of project managers. However, that is not all. There are three other members of our team that are crucial to the stability of our initiative, which are all acknowledged below. This qualified team permitted students to acquire valuable skills and knowledge about beginning their entrepreneurial journey.
Ethan Follick
Project Manager
Skills and Strengths:
Highly organized with excellent planning skills, allowing to manage tasks efficiently and meet deadlines with ease. Additionally obtains leadership abilities enabling to inspire and guide teams toward achieving shared goals while fostering a positive and collaborative environment. These strengths make a reliable and effective contributor.
Sofia Barbarisi
Project Manager
Skills and Strengths:
Exhibits excellent communication skills, effectively conveying ideas and fostering collaboration in diverse settings. Developed entrepreneurial expertise through hands-on experience managing self-ran businesses in the footwear industry, including handling operations, marketing, and customer relations. These experiences demonstrate a strong ability to lead, innovate, and adapt to challenges while ensuring successful outcomes.
Ava Ruperto
Project Manager
Skills and Strengths:
Experience in managing social media accounts, with a strong focus on increasing engagement, brand visibility, and audience growth. Possesses exceptional creativity and design ability, crafting visually appealing content that resonates with diverse audiences and effectively communicates key messages. Skilled in content strategy, brand consistency, and utilizing analytics to optimize performance across platforms.
James Millman
Logistics Manager
Skills and Strengths:
Strong in statistics and organizational skills, with the ability to analyze data and manage complex tasks efficiently. Developed a strong student network through active involvement in extracurricular activities, fostering relationships and collaboration across various groups.
Carol Kelly
Event Supervisor
Skills and Strengths:
Over 15 years of experience in teaching and advising, with a strong track record of guiding students to academic and personal success. Possesses extensive career development knowledge, helping individuals navigate professional growth, set goals, and achieve their aspirations.
Timothy Voels
Community Director
Skills and Strengths:
Over 10 years of administrative experience, with a proven ability to manage office operations and support team efficiency. Possesses strong communication and organizational skills, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and on time. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships and effective collaboration with colleagues and clients.