​Photo cutline: Members of LRC 2018 visited Meyer Hall with RSU president, Dr. Larry Rice. Back L to R: William Golden, Lovella Jones, Rosalie Griffith, Robin LePage, Chip Shepard. Third row L to R: Kevin Fortna, Connor Pulley, Kaleigh Hossack, Jessica Wilbourn. Second row L to R: Davis Johnson, Sarah Sharp, Samantha DeBoer, Erin Griffiths. Front row L to R: Willie Ng, Brandon Parduhn, Dr. Larry Rice, Amber Gilliland, Lacey Gebo. 

A Leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way: Education in Rogers County is Soaring

LEADERSHIP ROGERS COUNTY
“EDUCATION DAY”
 

 
The current Leadership Rogers County class recently spent a day exploring the different educational opportunities throughout Rogers County. The day was organized by Leadership Rogers County Board Members, Rosalie Griffith and Crystal Campbell. LRC Alumni Samantha DeBoer and Lacey Gebo helped facilitate the day. Ashley Orf the Executive Director guided participants through this very informative day.
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After a session on “Effective Networking” by Sara Stephens, Leadership and Organizational Coordinator/Trainer from Northeast Tech, the group traveled to Claremore Sequoyah Public Schools where they were welcomed by The Spirit of Sequoyah – The Sequoyah Eagle Band, Cheer Squad, and Select Choir. Warm muffins and coffee were offered to each of the participants upon arrival. The muffins were prepared by the Family and Consumer Science class. The Leadership class was also introduced to many of the programs SHS has to offer their students. The class seemed very intrigued by the Forensics program where students could perform many hands-on activities like a blood spatter analysis, crime scene processing, and profiling.

The Leadership class also toured Claremore Christian, a private school in Rogers County. Then, they spent the rest of their morning at Rogers State University where they got to spend some time learning about the different programs and history of the University. RSU’s President Dr. Larry Rice and his wife Peggy shared lunch with the class and then took them on a tour of Meyer Hall. Meyer Hall serves as the administrative offices for the President and other administrative staff. Upstairs, the building houses the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum and the Oklahoma Military Academy Alumni Association offices. The class also learned that Meyer Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The class ended their day at Northeast Tech, Claremore Campus. While at Northeast Tech, Campus Director Rick Reimer took them on a tour and informed the class of the different programs Northeast Tech has to offer all the students of Rogers County. He also gave them a brief history lesson on Northeast Tech. Northeast Tech Claremore offers two different types of educational opportunities for patrons: full-time classes and short-term classes. Northeast Tech Claremore offers five full-time programs. Each of these programs prepares students for a variety of career opportunities that exist within that specific career pathway. A variety of short-term classes are also offered at Northeast Tech Claremore. These classes are held at night and on the weekends and include everything from beginning computers and furniture upholstery to medical terminology and basic photography. After the tour of the Tech Center, Amy Evans from the Claremore School Foundation came and shared all the wonderful things the foundation does for Claremore Public Schools. The class also had a discussion on other schools in Rogers County that had foundations set up for community members and how they could help make those foundations successful.

“As a new resident of Rogers County it was exciting to see the diversity of educational option available in our area,” said Connor Pulley, LRC participant.
          
Leadership Rogers County is all about expanding participants horizons so they are aware of all of the opportunities Claremore and Rogers County have to offer. LRC gives participants the opportunity to dive right into the network of local businesses, organizations, public officials, and more. This program will help you stand out from the crowd on a resume, as well as help you become more in tune with the local community leaders. LRC consists of a group of people that want to make a difference in the community.
           
If you would like more information about Leadership Rogers County, please visit our website at leadershiprogerscounty.org or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/leadershiprogerscounty
 

The 2018 Class of Leadership Rogers County is now in session. This group of recognized leaders in the community began their current class year at the beginning of this month. Leadership Rogers County is a program designed to develop the talent and broaden the perspectives of its yearly class. Class members are selected through an application process and must commit to giving their best efforts to the group for the year. Leadership Rogers County focuses on expanding the students’ knowledge of what Claremore and Rogers County have to offer in the community and gives participants the opportunity to network with local businesses, organizations, public officials, and more. LRC consists of people that want to make a difference in the community. To kick off their journey, the group began its first full day of learning what Rogers County has to offer by getting to know our non-profit agencies one-on-one.
 
Students toured the facilities of the Rogers County Adult Daycare, Safenet Services, Rogers County Training Center, She-Brews, Children’s Advocacy Center, and then ended their day with an exciting round of “Speed Dating” with other local non-profits. Greg Crawford of the Rogers County Training Center told the LRC Class that his favorite part of coming to work each day is knowing that the adults with disabilities that they train are able to earn their own paycheck. Crawford said, “Even though it’s not a lot of money, our folks here are always so proud! They just can’t wait to show off their checks and talk about what they are going to do with their money. It’s wonderful being able to see them have so much pride in their accomplishments and their work.”  
“What struck a major chord with me is how seriously our state funding cuts are deeply affecting the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. We have children and adults with disabilities who are counting on the agencies for support, but the agencies are struggling to keep their basic needs met, much less to be able to grow,” said classmate Willie Ng. Classmate Michael Martin continued, “Due to the economic situation of things like the oil and gas industry, all of our local non-profits are suffering because their funding is being cut. Our class wants to learn how we can help, even in our own small ways like volunteering and supplies drives.”
LRC Class of 2018 has decided to do several things to help their local non-profits, like selecting needs from each of the agencies that they met on their tour and focusing on one specific need each month. November will be dedicated to helping the Children’s Advocacy Center by helping to re-stock their food pantry. The Children’s Advocacy Center is an agency that works to reduce the trauma of abused children. The Center offers a child-friendly environment to compassionately serve and protect children while coordinating the interviews of children, providing medical services, case reviews and victim advocacy. Jessica Wilbourn said, “At the Children’s Advocacy Center, the children are invited to have their hand painted so they can add their handprint to the walls of the center. This symbolizes that they were there, that they do matter and that they are safe now. Seeing all of those handprints of so many sizes, large and small, really struck us all hard. As a mother, it’s hard to imagine the trauma those precious children have experienced in their short lives. It’s something that I’ll certainly never forget, and neither will my fellow classmates. I am so proud to be a part of this group and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve others with all of my new friends. I’ve always heard that Leadership Rogers County is really life-changing, and simply from day one, I now know why.”
 
If you would like more information about Leadership Rogers County, please visit our website at leadershiprogerscounty.org or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/pg/leadershiprogerscounty
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