May 22, 2009

We’ve had quite a scare at the end of this week with the bus accident involving our Graham students, but things could have been much, much worse for our students. How ironic that we had our mock accident exercise on Thursday; and then on the way home, these students lived that experience. While none of our students was seriously injured, it had to have shaken them up quite a bit even to witness the accident. We’re so, so grateful that they’re all still with us. Please keep the families and loved ones of those who were killed in the van that collided with the bus in your thoughts and prayers.

On the topic of our mock accident, I want to thank Carol Siebeneck and the others who assisted for orchestrating this very powerful experience for our students. I never knew how many agencies were involved in making this happen! I can only hope that it will make our students stop and think during this graduation season and make good choices. If one life is saved (which we’ll never know), it’s well worth it.

I’ve had the opportunity to stop in and visit some classes in the past couple of weeks, and think our seniors, especially, are working fast and furious to complete senior projects, portfolios, exams, and the other demands of being a senior! But the ones I’ve gotten to speak with are also very excited about taking the next step and focused on where they’re going. And the common thread I hear in their comments is that they feel well prepared. To all of you—job well done for getting this next group of students ready to take on the world!

Last Thursday I accompanied the Professional Turf and Landscaping students on a field trip to Scotts-Miracle-Gro Company in Marysville. It’s typically difficult for student groups to get into Scotts, but a former Union County Leadership Institute classmate of mine facilitated the visit. It was really neat! The students actually participated in a class taught by one of their Training Institute instructors, receiving the same content he would present to landscapers and other lawn and garden professionals about Scott’s products. I had no idea there were so many different kinds of grasses, fertilizers, and weed killers! (Definitely gives me a complex about my yard.) We also received lollipops with (edible) bugs embedded in them. Kind of gross—but they were a hit! In addition, we visited one of their research greenhouses. I appreciated the behavior and mature, thoughtful questions our students had while on the tour. Hopefully this will spur them on to continue their education and perhaps someday take advantage of employment opportunities at Scotts!

Monday I attended the first meeting of the Champaign Co. Economic Development Advisory Council. As we worked through a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), it occurred to me how much collaboration we have in Champaign Co. For example:
• Ohio Hi-Point has collaborated with Urbana University (and Clark State) to establish credit-articulation programs within the health careers pathway to encourage more adults into higher education.
• The Department of Jobs and Family Services is at the beginning of that pipeline to identify under-educated, under-employed adults and provide them with basic skills training (for which they collaborate with OHP for Adult Basic Literacy training).
• The City and County have been instrumental in helping OHP establish a South Campus (at the former Armory) to bring workforce training programs to Champaign Co. for high-school students and adults.
I really look forward to working with this committee of community leaders to strengthen those partnerships and our opportunities in Champaign County.

Thursday evening I attended our OHP FFA Annual Awards Banquet. This is always such a great evening and a class act! Robin Curly’s and Cole Carpenter’s students do a great job of running the show, and the students are so proud of their accomplishments (rightfully so!) I especially appreciate the number of staff members who attend this event every year—it’s a wonderful show of support for these students!

No doubt you’re all looking forwarded to this extended weekend as much as I am! It comes at a perfect time when we could all use a breather. I’ve kept a newspaper column by Regina Brett that I cut out of the Cleveland Plain Dealer when I was there for Memorial Day several years ago titled “45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On.” It’s a great mix of philosophical and practical advice. There are too many to list here, but some of my favorites are:
• Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
• When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
• Pay off your credit cards every month.
• Don’t compare your life to others; you have no idea what their journey is all about.
• It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
• If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
• Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
• The best is yet to come.

Have a great weekend; and on this Memorial Day, take time to honor the memory of those who have served our country. And if you’re traveling, be safe!