Thirteen area eighth grade students participated in the Northwest Career Academy program. The students spent four days touring area businesses, performing community service and learning about economic opportunities available for them throughout Northwest Oklahoma. The academy ran May 26-29.

Those participating included: Lauren Lancaster, Alva; Garrett Ritter, Alva; Gracie Scarbrough, Alva; Cooper Sneary, Alva; Destiny TeLinde, Alva; Blake Failes, Cherokee; Payton Ream, Cherokee; Ayden Dow, Fairview; Sebashtan Metz, Fairview; Lance Bolar, Freedom; Archer Bohlan, Ringwood, and Tate Ott, Ringwood.

The students were housed at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and participated in activities coordinated by Allan Poe, Ag Business Management Coordinator at Northwest Technology Center.   The funding for the student’s activities is being provided through a grant from the ORRC.

Each student will benefit from the opportunity to be matched with a mentor. The mentor will give the NWCA participants an additional resource for networking.

Each summer for the next four years, these students will participate in activities designed to stimulate an interest in locating businesses in Northwest Oklahoma.   At the end of the five year program, the students will receive a scholarship to be used for higher education or tools of the trade courtesy of a local bank or financial institution.     Those participating include: Alva State Bank; Banc Central, Cleo State Bank, Community Bank, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Bank of Freedom, Farmers Exchange Bank of Cherokee, First State Bank Waynoka, Local Leaders, OK Rural Rehabilitation Corporation, and the Northwest Technology Center.

Tentative plans are in the works for next years’ program, which will continue the training with these students and bring in a new class of at least 10 additional students.