A rewarding part of my current work is the opportunity to create experiences for Preble County students to explore career options that can be a part of their future.
On Sept. 28, many area businesses came together to help present and share hands-on experiences to over 470 eighth grade students. All 16 national career cluster areas were represented from Architecture and Engineering to Health Sciences and even Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics.
As can be observed from the pictures that accompany this article, students had different opportunities to explore careers. Over 50 business men and women helped to provide the engaging experiences for our Preble County eighth grade students who will soon be attending high school and concentrating their studies to align with their career choices.
A huge thank you must be shared with the following businesses and representatives for their extraordinary help as they engaged our Preble County youth: Co-Alliance Ag Services, BJ Price of the PC Soil & Water District, Bane Welker Equipment, Shawn Conner of ODNR, Eric Gray of Dayton Ohio Area Electrical JATC, Nick Smiley of Ohio Valley Association of Builders & Contractors, Vince Irwin the Laborers State Apprenticeship Coordinator, Butler Rural Electric, Jane Wickham of Joy & Whimsy Depot, Lisa White Executive Director of PCHS, and Rhonda Newsome of the PC Arts Center.
Also, Jim Simon of Simon Insurance Agent, Tiffany Moreland of Eaton Skyline, Amy Leedy MVCTC Adult Education, Shawn Hoff of the PCESC, Lori Pheanis of LCNB, Lacey Aikman of Somerville Bank, Brad Collins and Leslie Collins – City of Eaton, Chris Straszheim and staff from the Kettering Medical Eaton Fire Department and EMS Staff, Stephanie Garrett of the Conventions/Visitors Bureau, Maria Morgan of the PCBDD, Amy Raynes of the PC Mental Health & Recovery, and Shelley Ratliff from the Council on Aging.
As well as John Lay of Tech Force OnSite, Brian Pool – National Trail Technology Department, April Vanover – Fastlane, Chad Wilford and Jake Hoffman – Buckeye Ed Systems, RAMTECH Trailer – MVCTC, Kathy Clapp – Real Estate, David Kirsch – Marketing and Sales, Carly Smith – WDTN Meteorologist, Parker Hannifin representatives, Bruce Sexton of Pratt Industries, and Andy Campbell – ABF Freight.
We also recently hosted an Agriculture Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Day for 450 plus third grade students. Members of all five county school FFA chapters with support from MVCTC helped provide materials and lessons as part of an Agricultural and Rural Community Outreach Program (ARCOP) grant sponsored by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio FFA Foundation.
At this event, third grade students learned about careers in animal and plant agriculture as well as agriculture engineering and natural resource conservation. A special thanks to Bane-Welker, Eaton’s Case-IH farm equipment dealership and the Preble County Agricultural Society for their help and use of the Bullen Equestrian Center.
Both events were a great success as our community came together to help students look into their future.
