the l.e.o. program

The L.E.O. Program is an entrepreneurship, leadership, and business curriculum that exposes students to extraordinary opportunities at the high school level

LEADERSHIP

ENTREPRENUERUSHIP

OPPORTUNITY

ENDOWMENTS
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​The  two semester long, business-focused program offers participating students an unparalleled means of enhancing their business knowledge and skills while emphasizing the core value of leadership, entrepreneurship, and opportunity

SELECTION PROCESS
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The highly selective program starts with an online application and questionnaire to vet and select highly qualified and motivated students. Throughout the process, students develop valuable life skills, including critical thinking, public speaking, and creative problem solving

MENTOR COACHES
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Students are guided by coaches and work in teams to develop a business model, from ideation to investor pitch while learning the value of when to lead and when to follow as a supportive member of a cohesive team

SUMMER IN D.C.
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Multi-day retreat to Washington D.C. where students attend seminars led by professionals and leaders from government, business, and non-profit organizations. The opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs provides a transformative learning experience
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SITE VISITS 
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Students are offered the opportunity to take site visits to companies of all sizes and stripes. Companies normally provide tours of their facilities, discussions with executives and staff,  and Q&A about their company and industry! If you'd like to offer a site visit  at your company, let us know!

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SHARK TANK
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Students develop a minimum viable product and pitch that product or service to a board of advisors in a shark tank style presentation

​SIGNING DAY
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Scholarships are awarded to the winning business idea. Internships are made available on a case-by-case basis that help students retain, absorb, and put what they learned to the test

l.e.o. program PARTNERS

Mount St. Dominic Academy 
​"Lionworks" Competition

The Leonidas Foundation and Mount St. Dominic Academy, the Catholic, independent college prep school for girls in Caldwell, is proud to announce that Toyota North America and The Leonidas Foundation have awarded $7,500 in collegiate scholarships, to “College: Unlocked,” a team of four Mount seniors, and winners of the inaugural L.E.O. “LionWorks” Entrepreneurship Competition at the Mount.

​The leadership of The Leonidas Foundation and Mount St. Dominic Academy are grateful for
the generous support of Toyota North America, and the company’s commitment to fostering
future generations of women business leaders.

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L.E.O. "IronWorks" Competition

The Third L.E.O. Program IronWorks was an incredible success! Congratulations to all the amazing entrepreneurs who presented their innovative businesses to our panel of Sharks!

The Leonidas Foundation awarded $6,500 in scholarships to the winning business ideas! We are incredibly proud of each and every one of these brilliant students and we could not be more excited to see all the accomplish in the future!
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​#leouniteus #leadership #entrepreneurship #opportunity

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The first high school entrepreneurship course
​of its kind

The L.E.O. Program exposes students to extraordinary opportunities while at the high school level.

Leadership

Multi-day trip to Washington D.C which will include seminars provided by leaders from government, business and nonprofit organizations who will provide insight about leadership that will both inform and inspire career development.

​L.E.O. program students will hear from leaders, who serve in many different roles, in a plethora of industries, from all walks of life. learn and earn the value of when to lead and when to follow, as a supportive member of a cohesive team.​

Entrepreneurship

Over the course of the two semesters, working in teams and guided by volunteer leaders from a variety of industries, students will develop a business model from ideation to investor pitch.

In the entrepreneurship process, students develop life skills including critical thinking, creative problem solving, public speaking, teamwork and resilience. students will develop a minimum viable product by the end of the spring semester and will pitch the final product or service to a board of advisers, in a shark tank style presentation.​

Opportunity

The opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs and leaders in both public, private, and nonprofit industries. students will experience a transformative learning experience in entrepreneurship while attending Don Bosco Prep.

In addition, internships in government or business will be made available on a case-by- case basis. The L.E.O. program will emphasize the importance of giving back.​

Washington D.C. SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

​The L.E.O. Program students of Don Bosco Preparatory High School attended a extraordinary summer learning program in Washington, D.C. from Sunday, June 24 – Friday, June 29, 2018.   
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The first annual "L.E.O. Program Summer Leadership Conference," hosted by The Leonidas Foundation in conjunction with Mason Harriman Group and The Catholic University of America, was a rousing success.  Accompanied by Matthew Perricone, President of The Leonidas Foundation, John Esposito, LEO Program Director, and Teddy Vagias, Leo's father, seventeen young individuals  traveled from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. to Washington, D.C. for this multi-faceted experience. 

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Testimonials

Become a mentor

The Leonidas Foundation is actively searching for mentors who are interested in educating students of the L.E.O. program.

Fill out our form if you would like to become involved!