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Paper mill partners with Challenge Program
The Challenge Program, in conjunction with local business partner American Eagle Paper Mills, held an award ceremony at the Tyrone Area High School auditorium on Friday, Oct. 25. Ten high school students, five each juniors and seniors, were awarded checks for $200 each to recognize them in five areas of achievement: STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), academic excellence, academic improvement, attendance, and community service.
Julie Rothrauff, program development manager for The Challenge Program told The Daily Herald that she visits schools in Blair County, as well several other counties, including Jefferson, Clearfield, and Centre. Challenge Program awards are made possible through business partnerships.
Rothrauff explained that various banks and businesses sponsor the awards. “We try to keep it local within the community. A lot of our communities want to give back to high school students. We try partner with them. Obviously they have career opportunities right in their own back yard. They can come in and talk about those and the seniors are able to explore those job opportunities if they’re looking to go straight to the work force right after high school.”
Rothrauff told students in attendance at the awards ceremony that Johnstown native Daniel Perkins, founder of The Challenge Program, had a mentor and other people who supported him at a very young age. He wanted to inspire and motivate students through an awards program in high schools.
“My desire was to create something that would help others while giving me a sense of accomplishment and pride,” Perkins said in a recorded video message. Perkins told students, “You have a choice in life: there’s the easy way, which could get you into some big trouble; and there’s the right way, which could start you down the road for success for life… Just like me, you have that choice…. My story’s proof that if you set your mind to something and dedicate the effort to doing it the right way, you can achieve anything you want.”
The Challenge Program has been providing awards to high school students for the past 21 years. Rothrauff encouraged the students to not let their challenges define them, but instead, to see themselves in first place.
Representing The Challenge Program’s local business partnership in Tyrone, Clark Adelman, vice president of finance and administration at American Eagle Paper Mills, told The Daily Herald, “We are here to talk to (students) about The Challenge Program and hopefully (inspire) people to want to participate this year.”
During the award ceremony, Adelman said, “We’re thankful that we can do this. We represent 13 different schools, but obviously Tyrone’s close to our heart because it’s right down the street… We’re really happy to be able to sponsor this event and to help students win some cash for doing the right thing.”
Adelman told The Daily Herald that the paper mill currently has an 18-year-old employees only policy, but they are working to possibly change that in order to allow for opportunities for high school students. However, Adelman said that the local business is always hiring, and those who graduate high school and are looking to enter directly into the workforce are encouraged to apply.
Following is the list of senior and junior student winners in The Challenge Program:
Seniors: Avery M., attendance; Thomas S., STEM; Nora H., community service; Ethan L., academic improvement; Emma W., academic excellence.
Juniors: Tyke B., attendance; Caleb S., STEM; Bailey W., community service; Olivia W., academic improvement; Joshua D., academic excellence.
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