From Classroom to Community: Holton's Students Learn Lessons in Leadership from Local Entrepreneurs

 

When students in Holton’s DECA chapter sat down with two local entrepreneurs, including alumna Sydney Poretsky ’14, they learned more than just business advice – they learned about leadership in action. DECA is an organization for students in high schools and colleges around the globe that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. A relatively new addition to the Upper School, Holton’s DECA chapter continues to grow in both size and impact, connecting classroom learning to real-world leadership.

Sydney, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Potomac Pizza, Bagels and Grinds, and Hunters Bar & Grill, and Andrew Goldstein (Landon ’04), General Manager of Potomac Pizza and husband of Holton alumna Emily Hamberger ’04, shared candid stories about adaptability, teamwork, and the importance of community connection.

“You can’t get complacent,” Andy told students. “You have to be present, listen to your team, listen to your customers, and adjust as needed.” He illustrated that lesson with a story about Potomac’s mozzarella sticks: after “improving” the company’s recipe, the company had to pivot back to their original recipe following negative customer feedback. As he noted, leadership sometimes means admitting you were wrong.

For Sydney, the path to leadership wasn’t linear. After internships in politics, she discovered her passion for local business and community engagement. “What I do isn’t just advertising or branding—it’s about creating connections,” she explained. “Every partnership request is an opportunity to find common purpose.”

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom
Those real-world lessons mirror what Holton education and the DECA chapter strive to cultivate every day: curiosity, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership. 
Founded in 2022, the chapter has grown in both size and impact. Students have qualified each year for ICDC, DECA’s international competition, which includes topics such as marketing, business management and administration, finance, hospitality and tourism, personal financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. This year’s members are already participating in DECA’s Stock Market Game and Virtual Business Challenge as they prepare for regional competitions.

“DECA isn’t just about competition, though,” said Lucia Hassell-Lee, Holton’s Director of Technology Integration and DECA faculty sponsor. “It’s about learning how to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with integrity. Hearing from professionals—especially alumnae—helps students see how those skills translate beyond school.”

From Café Diem to Community Impact
Sydney credited Holton for helping her discover the intersection of creativity, service, and entrepreneurship. As part of her Senior Project, she and her classmates launched Café Diem, a student-run café that earned back its startup funds and donated profits to the school. It was a powerful lesson in how business can drive community good. 

“It was a full circle moment for Sydney from running a café out of the senior lounge and then to return as an alumna and give a presentation across from our brand new café in the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons that is run, in-part, by students,” said Hassell-Lee. 

For Holton’s DECA members, the afternoon was more than a lesson in business, it was a reflection of Holton’s enduring mission to develop young women who lead with purpose and strengthen their communities. As Hassell-Lee put it, “Our students are learning that success in business—and in life—comes from curiosity, connection, and character.”