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"Basically, I knew I was interested in business by eighth grade and I looked at business courses when I was a freshman," said Bryan, 17, who is interested in the marketing field. "I don't think there's any real reason to change my mind."
His attitude is that people will always have needs and wants and there products and services will be offered to meet these.
"My parents thought I should be a lawyer because I feel comfortable talking to people, but that's why I think I'd be good in marketing," said Bryan, son of Jose and Maria Melo, who has been living in New Milford for about 10 years and moved up through the public school system.
Sonny, 17, who moved to New Milford with his family from the Bronx, N.Y., when he was in seventh grade, said that his parents felt the same way about him.
"Growing up, I liked to argue a lot about things, so my parents thought 'lawyer,'" said Sonny, son of Joseph and Roxann Parson. "I took a half-year business law class at the high school and liked that, but I like business and accounting instead because I'm better with numbers and concepts.
Both young men have already clocked up some real success in a statewide marketing competition March 10 at the Aqua Turf in Southington. Bryan took home a first prize award in the Food Marketing category, and Sonny placed third in the Marketing Management competition. In doing this, both qualified for the national competition, which will be held in Anaheim, Calif., the first week of May, and have been actively seeking financial support to make their participation possible.
They were given a written test-which addressed selling concepts, teamwork and vocabulary, said Sonny-and then each was presented with a case study, on an economic issue, with only 10 minutes to respond to the challenge it represented.
Confidence wasn't a problem, the students said. They were ready for the challenge and had "no trouble" thinking fast, said Bryan.
"Mr. Nolan's classes prepared us for that," he said, referring to business teacher Walter Nolan.
Bryan had to present a plan to market store-brand goods better, given the straitened economy, in a supermarket, and Sonny had to present "the best way" to keep energy costs down and pricing profitable regarding paper products.
They enjoyed the interaction during the state-level competition. "It was very professional," said Sonny, who aims to pursue a degree in accounting at Western Connecticut State University, with a view to become a CPA "and possibly own my own business someday."
He's not deterred by the current economic crisis, he said. "I talk with my dad all the time, and he says that when the big companies have problems or go down it gives the smaller ones out there their chance."
"And we felt professional," added Bryan, who intends to study international business at WestConn with a view of working for a world trade organization, or "maybe into the financial end."
Anyone who would like to contribute to the support of the NMHS competitors' national-level trip may contact the high school or the superintendent's office.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Thomas Mulvihill informed the school board at its regular meeting of the young men's current success and their intention to represent the high school on the national level.
