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The
third class in the Opportunity Knocks Program at the PCEC
graduated in Galeton on Thursday, May 4, 2006. Pictured (left to
right) are graduates: David March; Gary Huggler, Jr.; Megan
Button; Cyndie Pond; Gina Widnikeiwicz; Melissa
Finnemore; Ryan Hibshman; and Nicole Bell.
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The
third class in the Opportunity Knocks program at the Potter
County Education Council completed the program and graduated
on Thursday, May 4, 2006. The graduation ceremony for eight
students was held in the upstairs classroom at the Galeton
PCEC office. Graduating students were: Nicole Bell, Megan
Button, Melissa Finnemore, Ryan Hibshman, Gary “Skip”
Huggler, Jr., David March, Cyndie Pond, and Gina Widnikiewicz.
With family and friends present, the graduation
ceremony opened with program director Linda Williams
presenting the graduates and introducing Doug Morley, PCEC
Board President. Mr. Morley congratulated the graduates and,
in turn, introduced Helene Nawrocki, PCEC Executive Director,
who praised the graduates for their determination and
encouraged them to proceed on to higher education.
 Opportunity
Knocks . . .
Will You
Let It In?
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Class
members were then asked to speak about the projects they
completed during the course of the program. David March spoke on
the project he and his group completed, outlining the impact
that the environment has on the well-being of
Potter
County
. He and fellow group members Cyndie Pond, Nicole Bell, and
Megan Button completed a report and created a display as a
visual aid to demonstrate how important a clean environment is
to our area. Gary Huggler, Jr. spoke for his group. This group
completed a project on the impact of drug use as well as
outlining the positive and negative effects various drugs have
on the body, mind and life of the user. He and fellow group
members Gina Widnikeiwicz, Ryan Hibshman, and Melissa Finnemore
completed a report as well as creating a PowerPoint presentation
and poster as visual aids. Mr. Huggler taught himself Microsoft
PowerPoint for the purpose of creating
the presentation and did an exceptional job of pulling it all
together in a short six-week time span. Each group had presented
their projects during class prior to graduation and the projects
were on display during the graduation festivities.
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The
Opportunity Knocks Program is an intensive 6-week program for
highly motivated single parents, teen parents, unemployed
individuals and homemakers who wish to acquire the skills
necessary to enter the workforce at higher income levels. The
program is free to participants and funding was provided by an
earmark grant. The program is administered by the Potter County
Education Council with referrals and assistance from other
county agencies. Training encompasses career awareness,
pre-employment skills, work maturity skills, and employability
skills. In addition to the emphasis on job readiness, a portion
of the workshop focuses on individual remedial needs. The focus
of this program is to match eligible
individuals who show a strong potential for success with the
future employment needs of
Potter
County
which include, but are not limited to, careers in education and
healthcare. Follow up will include assistance with application,
funding and placement in higher education programs. Where
applicable, participants will be assisted with job search and
placement.
If you are interested in taking part in a future
Opportunity Knocks program, please contact the PCEC at
814-435-9490, 814-274-4877 or 814-642-2295.
For additional photos from the OK
Graduation, click here.
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