By Student Correspondent, Jacob Shiek '25
(published in the Arlington Catholic Herald, March 13, 2025
Bishop O’Connell High School is pioneering a new approach to business education with its entrepreneurship program, a pilot initiative launching this academic year. This program, linked to The Catholic University of America’s business curriculum, aims to guide students toward seeing business as a force for good.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to see how business can be a noble vocation in the world,” said teacher Bill Betthauser.
The program’s first semester focuses on the meaning and purpose of business, exploring career paths, core values, and the interconnectedness of work, economics and prosperity. It challenges students to cultivate character and discover their individual gifts, values, and mission within the context of the business world. A key component of the program is the integration of real-world applications and practical projects.
One such example is a recent exploration of the global economy undertaken by Betthauser’s entrepreneurship class. Students showcased their research and analytical skills through presentations on the state of business in various countries. This project, assigned the previous week, required students to delve into the economic intricacies of their chosen nation, examining key indicators such as Gross Domestic Product, unemployment rates, emerging industries, and the ease of doing business. The presentations offered a glimpse into the diverse economic landscapes shaping our world.
Senior Renzo Reyonoso kicked off the class with an in-depth analysis of the United States, highlighting its position as a global economic powerhouse and the dynamic growth of its technology and information sector, particularly the surge in cybersecurity jobs. Michael Archer followed with a presentation on Germany, focusing on the composition of its GDP and the crucial role of its skilled labor force. Senior Aly Kunigonis delivered an engaging presentation on Italy, incorporating cultural motifs into her slides and providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s economic landscape. She concluded that Italy maintains a robust and dynamic business environment, citing the ease of starting a business and high levels of innovation.
These presentations weren’t just about reciting facts and figures. Students effectively integrated concepts and frameworks learned throughout the semester, notably applying lessons from a case study on Theranos. This case study, which explored the factors contributing to both business success and failure, provided a valuable framework for students to analyze their chosen countries with a more critical and informed perspective. The Theranos case study helped them understand the complexities of the state of business project, empowering them to formulate insightful questions about the economic conditions and business environments of their chosen nations.
The entrepreneurship program at O’Connell, in partnership with Catholic U., offers a forward-thinking approach to business education. It emphasizes that business can be a force for good, encouraging students to consider ethical implications and their personal calling within the field. Combining academic rigor with a focus on ethical considerations and personal development, the program equips students with the skills and values needed for future leadership. It explores the relationship between business and society, fostering critical thinking and global awareness through practical projects like the state of business presentations. Students learn to integrate their values and strive to make a positive impact through their careers.
“It has provided me with a more diverse knowledge base of the business world, while simultaneously teaching me values that I can use not just in business but my everyday life,” Kunigonis said.
Pictured below: Seniors in O'Connell's new entrepreneurship class work as a team to develop a concept for a new product, including (from left) Edward Martin, Sam Gallucci, Michael Archer and Nicole Soruco-Franco.
