Co-president Brad Ruth opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Program Host, Dick Hall followed with a invocation with thankfulness for the strength to make this community better.
CELEBRATIONS:
Birthdays: Carrie Leising is celebrating her birthday today.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Ray Evans announced that the Chair of the Defense Science Board at the Pentagon has appointed Ray's son to advise the Pentagon on new technology.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President-Elect, Gail Moseley announced that we need three new board members whose term will begin in July. If you are willing to run, please get your name to her by next week's meeting. We will vote on March 9. Contact Gail at 330-907-4241 for more information or to agree to have your name submitted.
Gail also said that the district's Grants Class will be tomorrow night at 6:00 at the Akron Library. She will be attending and needs one other person to be there with her. Contact her at the above number if you can be the club's second representative. We need to have two people attend the class if we want to apply for a grant.
Annette Oborn announced that since we will not be doing the Shoebox Project this year, that we will collect toiletries for the Haven of Rest during March. Watch your e-mail for more information from the Oborns or check the attached list. There are options both for shopping and contributing by check.
Mary Dula reminded everyone that next Wednesday, March 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 will be out time to volunteer at the Akron-Canton Foodbank. The picture for the award that we will be receiving will be taken about 5:00, so please try to attend if you can. Let Mary know at 330-715-6358 if you can be there.
Scott Miller said that our Foundation Board approved the application for the Golf Outing so it is being signed and returned to Silver Lake. Scott will be contacting committee members to begin their work.
John Pribonic reminded everyone that we will begin to meet in person next week at Bellacinos, where we will have a hot breakfast for $13.00. There will also be a zoom option for those unable to attend in person.
Brad reminded everyone of the judging of the Four-Way Speech Contest which will be at the high school on March 9. Those who have volunteered to judge will receive a reminder.
Bob Oborn asked if the club will again fund two Interact Students to attend RYLA Camp as we have done in the past. The club agreed and Mary will discuss this with advisor, Dinah Henderson.
Bulldog Bag items for this month are individual size cereals, Capri Sun, Band-Aids and Hand Sanitizer. Drop your donation off at the reception area of City Hall by March 9.
PROGRAM:
Mary Jane Stanchina, Executive Director of the Six District Educational Compact set the stage for today's program, EntrepreNEW Pathways, which is owned by Woodridge but lives in Cuyahoga Falls. She introduced Joel Morgan, principal of Woodridge who emphasized the need for students to have real world experiences. He expanded on how the program has built great community relationships through this program but also through their collision repair and bio-medical education opportunities.
Mr. Morgan then introduced Emily Knight, the instructor of the EntrepreNew Program. She explained that research has shown that Generation Z, today's high school and middle school students have a different way of looking at future careers. 41% of them are expected to start their own business. Part of the reason students have begun to look for alternative education is the recognition of the high cost of college tuition. Another reason is the need for trained people to serve our communities in a variety of ways.
In 2019, just before the pandemic, The Burton Morgan Foundation was looking at ways to tap into the Career Tech Education world. As a result, Woodridge Schools, The Six District Compact, The City of Cuyahoga Falls, and The Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce worked together to establish this program. They have the support of more than 100 entrepreneurs and supportive organizations in the area who partner with them. Juniors are in Level One of the program where a strong speaker series is featured. The thought is that students cannot visualize themselves on a particular career path until they know that career is there. Then the seniors in the program learn about the various careers in greater depth and expand on their ideas of developing a business through their mentors. For more information about the program go to www.entreprenewedu.com or contact Emily Knight at eknight@woodridge.K12.oh.us.
Emily then featured two students from Stow who are part of the program. Jack, who is a junior at Stow talked about the great field trips where they explore a variety of careers. His mentor lives in California, so they communicate through zoom. Lexi has a mentor who runs her own skin-care business. Lexi has the idea for a cookie production business related to college students. Another story was told about a developing student men's fashion business which has ties with a mentor from the fashion district in New York City. The students showed us that the sky is the limit for this educational tract.
Dick Hall thanked everyone for their participation in Career Tech Month, particularly Mary Jane Stanchina who said that she already has some thoughts for our programs for next year.
JOKE Next week's joke will be by Mike Kostyack.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, March 2 7:30 Morning Meeting IN PERSON AT BELLACINOS. Don Alexander will speak about the Guardian Mile Race.
Wednesday, March 2, 4:30-6:30 Volunteer Time at the Akron-Canton Foodbank. Pictures for the award to be taken at 5:00.
Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 Morning Meeting at Bellacinos.
Friday, March 11, Interact Talent Show at the High School
Wednesday, March 9, Judging of the Four-Way Speech Contest at the High School
Friday, April 22 and Saturday April 23, District Conference at the Sheraton Suites
Saturday, April 30, Bulldog Bags special fundraiser. They will need our help.
Saturday, May 7 help Interact at the Memorial Gardens at the High School
Monday, June 6, our Golf Outing.
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