When Tony Caridi took the stage at the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport (ABB) on Thursday night, the front row of attendees was considerably younger than the rest of the crowd.  They were not yet business owners, but they were being recognized by the local organization for their efforts to promote businesses within the area.  Far from just being one-time volunteers, the Bridgeport High School DECA organization has been committed to helping hometown entrepreneurs in whatever way necessary.

 

Associated Businesses of Bridgeport President, Brad Ford, invited the group to be a part of the organization’s fall meeting in 2018, with the intent of helping the students to see the importance of networking and learning about what Bridgeport has to offer in the world of business.  The students actively participated in the round-table discussions, asking questions and offering suggestions.  Shortly after that, BHS DECA helped with the set up for the annual Light Up Night, one of the signature events sponsored by the ABB.

 

Upon discussing their volunteerism, Ford agreed to challenge the students in their area of expertise: marketing.  Although the students had conducted market research for area businesses and events, helped with product development and advertising, they were thrilled to have the opportunity to create a logo for the ABB and to help create an introductory video for Tony Caridi at the spring meeting held on April 11.

 

“The students truly embraced the challenges we gave them and captured the essence of what the ABB does,” said Ford.  “They created several logos that were professionally created by Morgantown Printing and Binding, and we put them on display at the event.”

 

Bridgeport High School’s Derek Hess created the Tony Caridi’s video introduction, featuring images and soundbites that showcased Caridi’s personal and professional success.  With all the excitement of the evening’s big event, there was a noticeable absence in the crowd.  

 

“Melinda Lindsey was such a vital part of the ABB team and we miss her terribly,” said Ford.  “We invited her family to the event and wanted to create a unique way to honor her contributions to the community, so we created a scholarship in her name to give to DECA students who have made such a difference to our organization.”

 

The Lindsey family gathered to present the first Melinda Duke Lindsey Scholarship awards to BHS seniors Madelyn Lalama and Michaela Perri.  Lalama, who recently was named a Bucklew scholar, is the current President of BHS DECA.  She plans to pursue a dentistry degree from West Virginia University and placed first in the WV DECA competitions for her work with teen suicide prevention.  

 

Perri is setting her sites on biology, and eventually medical school, at Marshall University in the fall. She currently serves on the BHS DECA leadership team and placed second in the state for her innovative work with local business, My Little Cupcake.Each scholarship recipient received $500 from the ABB.

 

“Each year, DECA is given so many opportunities to learn about the world of business and the ABB has been instrumental to our academic and vocational goals,” said Lalama.  “We are both very honored to receive the scholarship named after such an amazing woman and we look forward to helping the ABB with its upcoming events.”