Posted 4/11/01
24th Annual Chisago County Work Skills Day another success
More than 70 high school students from Chisago Lakes, North Branch and Rush City schools participated in the 24th annual Work Skills Day on March 27.
This event is designed to challenge the students to demonstrate their skills in Job Interviewing, Problem Solving, and Application Form Completion.
The students are enrolled in Work Experience Programs at their home schools.
The events were judged by managers and representatives from area businesses and agencies.
Each year, these people lend their expertise and give their time to make this event a realistic and rewarding experience for the students.
Work Skills Day is the culmination of curriculum that these students work on for many months in their classrooms.
Work Skills Day is the application of classroom learning.
This yearís keynote address was given by Bob Bardwell. He spoke of success, and the challenges he has had to overcome in his life, including a crippling construction accident.
He became an Olympic wheelchair athlete. He works with teens to help them see that success is the key. Not giving up will get you to success.
Many hurdles will get in your way, only you can decide how to get around them.
Many people helped to make Work Skills Day a great event.
Area service providers and school personnel set up Transition Booths where information was available to students. This information helps them make decisions for their future. This was greatly appreciated.
Thank you also goes to Linda Prince, Lael Koslovski, Stephanie Bellinger-Buchard, Rosey Klopp, Melody Goldbloom, Kendall Norman and Amy VandeKamp for their help during the event.
The school districts are also thanked for their support of this event.
Area businesses donated items for door prizes for this event including North Branch McDonaldís, Standox North America, OíFudge, American Outdoors, North Branch Cinema and Target.
Work Skills Day is planned and hosted by Work Experience Coordinators from the high schools involved. The coordinators are Janelle McNally and Brenda Kaeding from North Branch High School, Lori Erickson from Rush City High School and Diane Menard from Chisago Lakes High School.
Work Skills Day is sponsored by these school districts and St. Croix River Education District.
Skills Day award winners include:
Interviewing
1st-Paige Holt, N. Branch
2nd-Jason Peltier, C. Lakes
3rd-Lisa Nitti, N. Branch
4th-Tony LaVallee, N. Branch
5th-tie: Shantel Handt, N. Branch and Dustin Ruzynski, C. Lakes
Honorable Mention- Ricky Kammermeyer, C. Lakes; David Lint, N. Branch.
Problem Solving
1st-Tony Lavallee, N.Branch
2nd-Bob Hochstatter, Rush City
3rd-Josh Levoir, N. Branch
4th-Carrie Beckman, N. Branch
5th-David Lint, N. Branch
Honorable Mention- Sarah Seiler, Rush City, Lars Hammett, N. Branch.
Applications
1st-Carrie Beckman, N. Branch
2nd- Jason Peltier, C. Lakes
3rd-Laura Spychalla, N. Branch
4th-Sarah Seiler, Rush City
5th-Mike Kaiser, C. Lakes. North Branch Team D took first place in Sportsmanship and North Branch Team C was second.