The Leonidas Foundation Announces Third Recipient of “Leader of the Year” Award: L.E.O. Program Inaugural Cohort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~ Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Contact: Matt Perricone, 973.615.3501, LeonidasFoundation@gmail.com

Ramsey, NJ ~ The Leonidas Foundation is proud to announce the third recipient of its annual “Leader of the Year” Award.  The Foundation’s Executive Board has determined that this year’s award will be given to the 22 young men comprising the inaugural cohort of The L.E.O. Program business education track at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, NJ.

“Once again, we have selected an award recipient truly embodying our Foundation’s core principles of mind, body, and spirit,” said Matthew Perricone, President of The Leonidas Foundation. “The first cohort of L.E.O. Program students have worked with us to establish this entity and solidify the foundation for Leo’s favorite subject to continue to be taught to Don Bosco Prep students for years to come.”

“These young Ironmen are the first to complete this innovative and intensive business education program,” said Alex Cucciniello, the Foundation’s Vice President. “They possess the potential and preparedness to make their mark as entrepreneurs moving forward.”

The award will be presented to these exceptional student leaders at the third annual Leonidas Foundation Kickoff Event, to be held on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at The Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen, NJ.

“My family and I are so proud of these young entrepreneurs,” said Trustee Teddy Vagias, Leo’s father, on behalf of his wife Frances and daughter Alexandra. “Their commitment to scholarship and philanthropy is commendable and I can think of no better way to recognize these future masters of industry than to have them receive this award.”

The L.E.O. Program is a two semester curriculum that cultivates students’ business acumen using an interactive instructional approach. Under the direction of Professor John Esposito, students explore business principles with a focus on the core values of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Opportunity. The curriculum spans students’ junior and senior years, with nearly 60 sophomores applying annually and approximately twenty-five rising juniors being selected. Typical classroom instruction is supplemented with guest lecturers from the business world and a Summer Leadership Conference at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. featuring high level government officials and corporate executives.

“It is with great humility the utmost appreciation that our students accept this Leader of the Year award,” said Professor Esposito. “This program has evolved into something truly embodying Leo Vagias’ lifelong interest in business, imparting knowledge and wisdom on the leaders of tomorrow. We will display this award in our classroom with pride as a constant reminder of Leo’s influence on the young men of our program.”

For more information about The Leonidas Foundation – including ticket and event information for the upcoming Kickoff Cocktail Party event – please visit www.LeoUniteUs.org

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