ROP students encounter virtual success

Marina High School senior Breanna Oliver sat quietly at a computer while the school’s Regional Occupational Program class shopped online.

Oliver, 17, went to www.Vividgamerz.com. She found what she wanted and while the Vividgamerz’ open house continued around her, Oliver made her first online purchase.

“My sales person [Marina High School senior Brittany Baughman] was very nice, very professional,” Oliver said. It was Oliver’s first visit to the site. She said maneuvering through it was easy.

Baughman handed Oliver a $549 “invoice” and thanked her for her business.

Marina High School ROP students hosted an open house May 24 to showcase their year-long endeavor — a virtual online business where they sold video games.

Senior Eric Forman developed the site and helped students Zaid Ismail, Natasha Ho and Johnathan Minasian manage the business.

The program was funded through ROP, students’ donations and grant money, teacher Marilyn Cuneen said.

Ismail said the experience taught him “how to be a leader, how to manage a company” and how to deal with difficulties.

Cuneen said this is the third year the ROP program has been offered and each year, students developed different companies. Sonical Skateboards was the first and Arcade World was last year’s.

Next year’s senior class will have the choice to either integrate themselves into the business or venture out on their own.

Ismail said he would recommend the business class to anybody who wants to learn a trade or get experience.

ROP classes are offered on 27 campuses in five school districts in Orange County, Linda Kannow, coordinator of instructional programs for Coastline ROP said, and virtual enterprises are “extremely popular. Virtual enterprises give kids with entrepreneur talent an opportunity to showcase their talents and earn University of California and high school credits.”

Councilman Joe Carchio was on hand.

“It’s the best Huntington Beach has to offer,” Carchio said. “I don’t think people realize how much time and effort that goes into it. As a councilman, I’m really proud.”