21st Century Charter School Hosts Youth Summit
Northwest Indiana Professionals Share Their Expertise with Students and Parents

21st Century Charter School at Gary brought local students and parents together for a day of interactive and informative workshops at its annual Youth Summit. The event was held at 21st Century Charter School this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. Students from eight area schools attended.

Professionals from various fields hosted sessions designed to inform participants about contemporary issues that affect their daily lives. Participants were divided into separate groups for parents and students grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Most of the professionals presented to more than one group, tailoring their presentations to meet the needs of different age levels.

John Davis of Merrillville Beauty College discussed good health and hygiene practices. In his first session, he had third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders chanting, “O-C-D, O-C-D.” When asked after the session, the students explained that O-C-D stood for ouch, contagious, and disease – the symptoms meant to be avoided through good hygiene.

During the second session, Karen Williams, Executive Director of Marketing at Ivy Tech Community College, gave students in grades 9-12 a straightforward explanation of the need to attend college and how to get in. Next door, the Lake County Sherriff’s Department had sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders hooked on the topic of internet safety.

Kenneth White, President and CEO of Choice iii Management Consulting, LLP, hosted a session on money management. He discussed earning, saving, spending, and investing money, as well as the relationship between academic subjects and careers. His third session had a difficult time wrapping up, as parents were deeply engaged in a discussion of the real-life implications of earning and spending money in Gary.

Meanwhile, 21st Century Charter School English teacher Kelly Laws brought her secondary career to the school, presenting a session on the art and science of applying makeup. Even the male high school students in attendance were interested, explaining that they wanted to know what would be put on their face when their dream basketball careers land them on TV.

Finally, in the most hands-on sessions, 21st Century Charter School art teacher Molly Mote modeled and helped students create their own wearable art. Students in grades 6-8 decorated drawstring canvas bags, and students in grades 3-5 designed their own dog tag necklaces.

As she transitioned from one session to the next, third grader Jada Harris said, “This is fun! When will we do this again?” And with such positive responses from students, parents, and presenters, the 21st Century Charter School staff who organized the event assured participants that the annual event will again be offered in 2010.

21st Century Charter School at Gary is a free public charter school for students in grades K-12. 21st Century gives students the skills they need to not only receive a high school diploma, but also to excel at the collegiate level. The school’s curriculum and teaching methods are designed to let children excel as fast as their ability allows. This competency-based approach lets children of higher ability progress past students their same age. 21st Century also offers a Middle College program, which allows qualifying high school students to take college courses for college credit, free of charge to students and their families.

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