Over 150 students from 16 different school districts and technical institutions in Schuylkill County filled Courtroom No. 1 at the county courthouse Thursday to discuss the future of their hometowns with local legislators, business leaders and community organizations as part of a first annual Youth Summit.
"It went well. The students were fantastic. The discussions were very fruitful and they were very enthusiastic. They came up with some great ideas," Kay Jones, executive director of Schuylkill County's VISION, said Thursday.
Jones and County Commissioner Gary J. Hess spearheaded the event along with Commissioners Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier and Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. and other community organizations, legislative offices and business associations.
The goal of the annual youth summit meeting is to address both the assets available and those needed to encourage the youth in the county to work, play and raise families in Schuylkill County.
"I think for the first event, we accomplished what we needed to do. We put their thoughts in progress and we hope to continue to get their input," Hess said Thursday.
Most of the participating students were in high school, but there were also groups from Penn State Schuylkill and Schuylkill Technology Center.
"I admire each and every one of you for your leadership," Staudenmeier said Thursday. "I want you to remember this and to take this back to your schools - people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Halcovage said the discussions with the students was encouraging for county officials.
"I want you to know that we listen and we want to keep listening," Halcovage said. "We believe you are the future of Schuylkill County. Your challenge now is to take your ideas back to your schools and get them fired up."
In the morning, students had the opportunity to ask questions to a panel consisting of state Sen. David Argall, R-29; County Sheriff Joe Groody; Frank Zukas, president of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.; Bob Carl, executive director of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce; Lorraine Felker, superintendent at the Schuylkill Haven School District; Diane Rowland, Drug and Alcohol prevention specialist; state Reps. Mike Tobash, R-125, and Neal Goodman, D-123; and Gina Gargano, executive director at the Schuylkill County Visitor's Bureau.
After the discussion session, Bill Wydra Jr., president and CEO of Ashland Technologies, Hegins, served as guest speaker for the event while the students ate lunch.
Ashland Technologies is a contract manufacturer of machined and fabricated parts that include a wide range of products roller coaster parts to windmills.
Coming off a 26-hour trip back to Schuylkill County, Wydra said he was in Turkey to meet with the new CEO of a technology company. Wydra told the students that when he asked the CEO why the company still has its business located in "middle of nowhere" in Turkey, he responded "It's because of the people."
"They had some of the brightest, young engineers that are passionate about what they do," Wydra said. "Well, Schuylkill County is exactly the same way. Why do we choose to have our company here? It's because of the people."
Wyrda grew up in Ashland and graduated from George Mason University in Virginia. He said there are many opportunities for people in Schuylkill County and praised the trade and technical schools in the area.
"You don't need to go to college," Wydra said. "You need to have a passion for learning, that's what you need."
One of the students asked Wydra how he knew what profession he wanted to get into.
"I didn't," Wydra said. "People get too concerned about looking into the future and get nervous. Take the information you have today to make those decisions."
Wydra added that he had a few businesses that failed, but you have to learn from them and move on if you want to succeed.
"It doesn't matter what industry it is, you need to have the right people that think differently and keep thinking," Wydra said.
Wydra concluded by saying that he hopes to see the students involved in improving their communities.
"I am very passionate about this county and I want to see it become what you want it to be," Wydra said.
After lunch, the student groups met with one of the community leaders at the event to discuss their school projects, which were based off surveys at each district in preparation of the Youth Summit. Surveys ranked community improvements most important to the students.
Schools then presented their ideas to the rest of the courtroom. Some of the project ideas included public access sports centers, town cleanups, mentoring programs and social media groups.
Jones said completed project proposals are due May 10 and they will be evaluated on May 24.
Overall school survey results are still being compiled and will be available in a few weeks, Jones said.
Local businesses sponsoring lunch included: Bedway Produce, Schuylkill Haven; Boyers Food Markets, Orwigsburg; Groody Catering, Ashland; Guers Dairy, Lewistown Valley; Mar Lin Markets, Mar Lin; and Hess Catering, Schuylkill Haven.
Financial partners for the Youth Summit include: Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board Inc., M&T Bank, PPL Corp., Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart Regional Distribution Center and Schuylkill County Conservation District.