To help develop the next generation of Region leaders, Kankakee Valley (KV) REMC has recently established a Junior Board of Directors program for local students. The program invites high school juniors to participate in a variety of engaging activities to prepare them for professional endeavors following their high school careers.
A total of 10 students from six Region high schools have been selected for the program and will meet monthly through June of this year. This includes Brianna Irzyk and Damien Frasure from North Judson-San Pierre High School; Emma Gillard from Knox High School; Evan Meyer from Victory Christian Academy; Ryan Kratz from Kouts Middle/High School; Dylan Andrews from Washington Township High School; and Mackenzie Schultz, Noah Doms, Addie Gorski, and Carter Welkie, all from Tri-Township High School.
Being a part of the Junior Board of Directors will give this group of students multiple opportunities to expand their professional development skills as they make their way through the program. Each of the kids will have the chance to meet local leaders within their communities, and at the end of the program, they will work together to complete a final capstone project. They will then each receive a $1,000 scholarship from KV REMC once they have completed the program as well.
“I decided to join because I saw it as a great opportunity to be more involved in my community,” said Gorski. “I saw it as a fun way to bring my opinion on our area and make some changes. I was interested in getting involved in the community and getting a better look at what they do as REMC employees.”
The connections the students have formed through this program have already made positive, lasting impacts on the students. Many have cited that the people they’ve been able to meet and network with has been their favorite part of the experience.
“My favorite part of the experience so far is the people I get to meet,” Gillard said. “At the first meeting, Miss Lena was absolutely delightful, and she helped me learn more about myself and my personality type. Meeting the Congressmen at the last meeting was also a great experience as I got to see how government officials can impact our community firsthand.”
Gillard has her sights set on becoming a neurosurgeon after high school and hopes to attend Purdue University West Lafayette on the pre-med track followed by Harvard University for medical school. The opportunities she has through the Junior Board of Directors program has given her both the skills to achieve these goals and has confidence this program will help her immensely as she works her way toward her dream career.
“I think the experiences I will have in this program will help prepare me for my future because it will help me develop a sense of independence and leadership, which will be extremely important as I further my medical education,” she said.
With two meetings already under their belts, the group is off to a great start. The interest in the program piqued; however, long before the first meeting ever began, as the students saw this as an excellent learning opportunity from the get-go.
“Right when I saw the email to sign up and apply for it, I found an interest in it,” Doms said. “I thought attending this could bring me more of an opportunity to support my community. I also figured it would be a great way to meet people, and build a better future for me and everyone else that I am able to help in the community along the way. I also learned about how much of an awesome opportunity this is for me as well as my peers.”
That enthusiasm extended to the schools as well, as they were eager to be involved just as much as their students. Brian McMahan, principal at Tri-Township Schools in Wanatah, currently has four students in the program and has enjoyed working with an organization always eager to support and work with local schools and communities.
“KV REMC is a first-class organization that has always given back to the local communities,” said McMahan. “Our students are going to learn a great deal about teamwork, collaboration, networking, and much more. This program will allow our students to see a company that is a good steward to their community.”
McMahan has additionally enjoyed working with KV REMC in years past and is excited to see just how much this new program will positively impact Northwest Indiana in years to come.
“Our four students are having a great experience being on the first Junior Board of Directors. They speak very highly of the program,” he said. “As education continues to change in the 21st century, schools and local employers are becoming more collaborative with each other. We have a great relationship with KV REMC, and we will continue to build this relationship through this program and other programs in the future."
The students involved are already encouraging their younger peers to consider the program for their junior year.
“I definitely recommend this for anyone that is a sophomore. Just fill the form out even if you don't want to, it is a great opportunity that you shouldn't miss!” Gorski said.
To learn more about the Junior Board of Directors program, visit the website here, and to learn more about the many programs and resources Kankakee Valley REMC offers to support and strengthen local communities, visit its website here.
