On Oct. 28, about 200 sophomore girls from the seven area high schools - Fairfield, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton, Warsaw, Wawasee, West Noble and Whitko - will attend a Nontraditional Employment for Women Opportunities Workshop.This workshop will be an all-day conference at the Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw. The Warsaw Area Career Center and the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative are sponsors of this workshop.
The objective of this workshop will be to introduce the female student population to nontraditional career opportunities, to increase female enrollment in nontraditional career and technical educational course offerings at the seven area high schools, and to increase female awareness of innovative employment opportunities that should lead to helping local businesses achieve their federal employment goals in the area of nontraditional placement. The theme for this year's workshop is: "Only YOU control your future!"
In the morning session, there will be a keynote speaker. The speaker this year will be Dottie Davis, deputy chief of the Fort Wayne Police Department and an expert on domestic violence issues.
Following the keynote address, the students will be introduced to nontraditional occupations via round table discussions. Each student will have the opportunity to choose five different occupations and meet with the presenter to find out more information on and hear experiences about the career. Information presented will include education and training needed for the career, a typical workday, work environment, wage information, employment forecast and advantages for women in their particular occupation.
Some presenters of local interest are Charlene Johnson, forensic science; Virginia Stephens, EMS; Mary Ellen Rudisel-Jordon, architecture/engineering; JoElla Smyth, education administration; Lou Ann Parker, CNC machining; Cindi Clawson, meteorologist; Kimberly Denolf, military; Heidi Wimmer, engineering; Rachel Johnson, optometrist; Tonya Bale, dog training; Janelle Fancil/Shirley Fetrow, firefighting; Laurie Lemler/Ann Hampton, state police/detective; Megan Furnish, athletic trainer; Darcy Zolman, environmental scientist; Kathy Perry/Lauran Sattler, computers; Karen Ottjes, ministry; Gina Beckner, pilot; Kelly McKee, mortuary science; Ginny Stephens, EMS; Rita Price, radio broadcasting; Lori Everest, heavy equipment operator; Justina Godsell, air traffic controller; Abbi Montgomery/Elaine Bultemeier, computer repair; Tina Hamman, machinist; Tracy Roberts, agriculture technology; and Dana Leon, attorney.
Additionally, in the afternoon, many of the presenters will have "try it" sessions so students can have hands-on experiences. Some examples are meteorology, automotive, bricklaying, computers, animal training, electrical, construction, truck driving and welding. Supplemental materials and handouts will be provided to all attendees that can be shared with non-attendees at their high schools and at home.
Lunch and other donations were provided through local sponsors: Ellison Bakery, Lance's New Market, Syracuse, Pizza Hut, Bibler Foundation, the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Basic Grant, along with the Warsaw Education Foundation who provided the majority of the expenses funding for this workshop.
This is an opportunity for young women from the area high schools to see the possibilities for their future with a career that each may not have thought about or known was available to them. The purpose of the workshop is to expand the career possibilities for young women to consider and hopefully find one that is of interest.
The planning committee for this workshop includes Diana Yarian, Bill Kovach, Merae Meek, Judy Egolf, Joe Bryan, Pam Rozelle and Linda Croop representing the Warsaw Area Career Center and Donna Daniel, Tracy Roberts and Phil Metcalf representing the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative.
