Western Brown Local School District and the Southern Hills Career and Technical Center appreciate Warren Walker and Duke Energy for their donation of $10,000 to support the first Summer College and Career Academy. As a result of this generosity over 30 students entering Western Brown High School this coming August had the opportunity during the week of June 8 – 11 to spend four days exploring one of four different career pathways as well as visiting multiple local colleges and businesses. This investment in these students’ future assists the Duke Energy Foundation to achieve one of its community service goals.
The incoming ninth grade students spent time at both WBHS and Southern Hills CTC. While at WBHS these students toured their new school, and at the Career Center worked a great deal of the time in labs in their chosen career field. The four career fields to choose from were Construction Tech (Instructor Todd Blust), Culinary Arts (Instructor Chef Julie Evans), Clinical Health Care (Instructor Jackie Hansen, RN), and Criminal Justice (Instructor former Police Chief Randy Carson). The active engagement and “hands-on” learning focus helps these students to acquire knowledge and skills to make an informed career choice later in their lives.
Three regional colleges (UC Clermont, Chatfield College, and Southern State Community College at Mt. Orab) conducted a half-day program designed to demonstrate to these students the career pathways of these careers into higher education. Southern State hosted this session.
This opportunity was made possible by the Duke Energy Foundation as well as through the work of many dedicated professionals from both Western Brown and Southern Hills. WBLSD Assistant Superintendent, Jina Bohl; Mt. Orab Middle School Guidance Counselor, Paula Hitt; Hamersville Guidance Counselor, Kim Schram; and Southern Hills CTC Principal, Guy Hopkins along with Career Tech consultant, Tim Nolan came together to formulate a fantastic learning experience for these young people. These students dedicated four days of their summer break to learn more about the many career opportunities in Brown County.
Local business owner and restaurant entrepreneur Tim O’Hara said, “The program with Southern Hills, Western Brown and Duke Energy helps my business by helping to grow interest in, and expand training in the culinary field. These sort of workforce development programs are a big help to our business, LaRosa’s of Mt. Orab.”
