News

ARTICLE
Date	ArticleType
4/23/2012	Community/Chamber
Chamber Presents Business Education Partnership Awards for the 2011-2012 School Year

Chamber Presents Business Education Partnership Awards for the 2011-2012 School Year Contact: Jessica M.L. Thompson, Marketing & Communications Director 270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com BOWLING GREEN, KY - At a news conference today, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce presented seven Business Education Partnership Awards to local businesses and schools, applauding them for working together during the 2011-2012 school year. "As we deepen our focus on talent development, the Chamber is heavily invested in connecting businesses and schools. Their partnerships help students learn about leaders in the community and for businesses to provide guidance to the future workforce," said D. Gaines Penn, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. "The partnership between local businesses and schools provide opportunities to help student learn, grow and attain knowledge they will need for the future," said Elle Harbaugh, co-chair of the Chamber BEP Program, "this partnership allows businesses and schools to share their talents and skills while bridging the classroom to the world outside. By fostering relationships between businesses and the future workforce the Chamber aims to increase resources and opportunities for these entities. In addition to honoring all participants, the sub-committee presented awards to honor several of the organizations' outstanding partnerships. The award winners and some of their accomplishments for the year are as follows: The Rookie Business Partnership of the Year - Warren Central High School & Bowling Green Technical College Warren Central High School (WCHS) introduced their postsecondary partnership with Bowling Green Technical College (BGTC) this year in the form of the Warren Central Collegiate Academy. WCHS Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) presented a Veteran's Day Program at BGTC in November. BGTC Recruiters participated in College Application Day at WCHS. The WCHS Chorus provided the music for the Faculty & Staff Christmas Social at Bowling Green Technical College. BGTC adopted two teen angels from WCHS for Christmas Assistance. Dr. James McCaslin, Vice President of Academic Affairs at BGTC, assisted with the Collegiate Academy Interviews at WCHS. The Elementary Business Partnership of the Year - Cumberland Trace Elementary School & Independence Bank Independence Bank employees greeted families and students on the first day of school with brand new pencils. Independence Bank employees volunteered at Cumberland Trace's Fall Festival and Spring Arts Gala. Independence Bank sponsored the Cumberland Trace Academic Team as they earned first place at the District Level wearing t-shirts with the bank's logo. Independence Bank volunteers helped open the Cumberland Trace Tiger Bank. Here students are able to learn how to balance check books and learn how to record withdrawals and deposits from their "accounts." The Middle School and Business Partnership of the Year - Bowling Green Junior High School & the Warren County Attorney's Office The Warren County Attorney's Office sponsored a bulletin board in the front office area at the start of the school year, containing information about good attendance, truancy, and bullying. The students were also provided with a bookmark at the start of the school year that promoted school attendance. During the holiday season, the Warren County Attorney's office donated money to the Teen Angel Program, providing Christmas gifts to Warren County teens. All of their donations were specifically for students at Bowling Green Junior High. The Youth Services Center provided the Warren County Attorney's Office with a breakfast for their support and donations. At the end of the school year the Warren County Attorney's Office will sponsor a drawing for a $100.00 Visa gift card for one student in every grade who maintained perfect attendance during the school year. The Warren County Attorney's Office is also planning a "sweet treats" day for the teachers and staff members to show appreciation for their dedication to education. High School & Business Partnership of the Year - Bowling Green High School & Holiday Inn University Plaza "Mix it Up Day"- The sous chef from Holiday Inn went to Bowling Green High School (BGHS), assisted the cafeteria staff to make a gourmet meal using everyday school food to serve to the students. Holiday Inn assisted the BGHS Soccer program with the annual tournament over Labor Day weekend. A reduced guestroom rate was offered to the schools traveling in allowing for more teams to come to the tournament. BGHS hosted the Citizens First Holiday Basketball Classic in December. Holiday Inn assisted Basketball Coach D.G. Sherrill with bringing in teams for the tournament by offering a discounted room rate. BGHS was able to pay for these rooms with the assistance of Citizens First. Because of this more teams were able to attend the tournament. The sub-committee would like to recognize the other active partnerships this year: Alvaton Elementary School and VSA Kentucky Anchored Christian School and First Security Bank Briarwood Elementary School and The Medical Center Bristow Elementary School and Bank of Edmonson County Dishman McGinnis Elementary School and the Barren River District Health Dept./ First Choice Home Medical Foundation Christian Academy and Chaney's Dairy Barn Greenwood High School and South Central Bank/Canteen Service Company Henry Moss Middle School and Carroll Knicely Conference Center Holy Trinity Lutheran School and First Southern Bank Community Action of Southern Kentucky, Inc. and Bowling Green Human Rights Commission Lost River Elementary School and Country Oven Bakery McNeill Elementary School and Citizens First Natcher Elementary School and GFS Marketplace North Warren Elementary School and Warren County Water District Oakland Elementary School and Wendy's of Bowling Green Corporation Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary School and BB&T Plano Elementary School and Independence Bank Potter Gray Elementary School and Drobocky Orthodontics Richardsville Elementary School and Service One Credit Union Rich Pond Elementary School and Sun Products Rockfield Elementary School and Crossroads IGA South Warren High School and National Corvette Musuem South Warren Middle School and Warren County Public Library St. Joseph School and Booth Fire & Safety T.C. Cherry Elementary School and Bowling Green Municipal Utilities Warren Elementary School and U.S. Bank Warren East High School and SCA Personal Care "It takes the collaborative efforts of businesses in the community and our local schools to achieve the outcomes that we believe are absolute necessities for our children. We appreciate the continued and loyal support of our community and business partners, and their dedication to the Business in Education Partnership", said Ashley Shelley, member of the Business Education Subcommittee. About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.