Students Connect with Business Leaders at "Connections to the Future Event" Nov. 10

STUDENTS CONNECT WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AT UNIQUE “CONNECTIONS TO THE FUTURE EVENT” NOVEMBER 10

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – OCTOBER 12, 2009 - Senior student leaders from Nogales and Rowland High Schools will network with more than 200 local businesses and community leaders at the unique “Connections to the Future” event on November 10. Organized by seniors in the Career Certification Program, students learn professional networking and employment skills and interact with business leaders to discuss areas of career interest. This year’s keynote speaker is Drexel Smith, an expert in the aerospace, energy and technology markets who will speak on the  topic of “Opportunities, Challenges and Pathways in a Changing World.” The free luncheon is from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Nogales High School in the Gymnasium. (401 S. Nogales Street, La Puente). **Business members interested in attending the luncheon and networking with students, RSVP by October 23 to Angie Cardenas, Rowland Unified Superintendent’s Office at (626)854-8303.

The award-winning Career Certification Program at Rowland Unified School District offers students at both Nogales and Rowland High Schools the opportunity to earn a certificate in one of six career pathways: Arts & Communications, Business, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health & Medical Services, Public & Human Services, and Technology.

Connections to the Future showcases the program with student displays and presentations about each pathway. Student leaders of the event are -- From Nogales High School: Alexandra Harris (Health & Medical), Genesis Miranda (Arts & Communications), Valerie Guillan (Health & Medical), Christan Tabuloc (Business); From Rowland High School: Jennifer Tsai (Family & Consumer Science), Tomila Johnson (Business), Jason Mejia (Technology), Blanca Martin (Health & Medical), and Vivian Li (Health & Medical). For more information, visit http://careerpathways.rowland.k12.ca.us

Smith is president of Drexel Consulting Group, LLC (DCG) an executive management consultancy firm with a unique combination of more than 40 years in the test and evaluation of aerospace, defense and energy systems that is based in West Covina. Smith is also on the Board of Directors of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce and has been an active member in a variety of organizations, including: California Space Authority Board of Directors; International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) Board of Directors; Institute for the Advancement of Engineering as an honorary fellow; the Institute of Environmental Sciences as a senior member; Nuclear Energy Institute (corporate representative) and the American Nuclear Society.

The Rowland Unified School District is proud to serve 17,500 students at 23 elementary and secondary schools in the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente, City of Industry, and West Covina. More than 5,000 adults (16+) are also served by the Rowland Adult and Community Education School. For more information visit www.RowlandSchools.org.