Nineteen more Brown County High School seniors were awarded a certificate from Gov. Eric Holcomb this school year recognizing that they have the skills necessary to be successful at work or college after they graduate.
Fifteen seniors earned the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate last school year, the first year Brown County students were able to earn it.
This year’s 19 recipients were recognized during the May 6 Brown County Schools Board of Trustees meeting. Their photos were displayed as their names were called up to receive an Eagle pin to wear on their graduation gowns — a tradition that was started with last year’s GWEC students.
Career Resource Center of Brown County Director Christy Wrightsman worked with the high school to offer the opportunity to seniors. She said the seniors “went above and beyond what any other students have done.”
“That’s why you received this certificate. We have a goal that all of our students have a plan for after school. You represent that you are ready and you demonstrated that,” she said.
To earn the certificate, students have to demonstrate perseverance, a positive attitude, communication skills, their ability to be a self-starter and critical thinker, organizational skills, and the importance of punctuality. Students also have to maintain a 2.0 grade-point average or higher and be on track with graduation requirements.
In addition, students have to maintain a 98-percent attendance rate, have one or fewer discipline referrals, and complete six hours of community service. Eligible seniors also had to attend scheduled interviews with administrators and teachers.
The school district placed a large advertisement in the newspaper recognizing the students, and there are also billboards and banners with their photos on them throughout the county.
Earning this certificate was not a big push for senior Cameron Fox. “It was more of, ‘Hey, you already do all these things; why not get a certificate for something you already do?’” Fox said.
Senior Noah Cochran said he wanted to pursue the certificate because it gave him another opportunity to prove his “dedication and ability to persevere to the universities I was applying to, as well as any of my future career opportunities.”
Cochran wants to work in graphic design. His hobbies include tennis, video games, racing and mountain biking.
“The certificate, to me, is a means to show that I am willing to go above and beyond, working inside and outside of the classroom, to the best of my ability, in order to reach success,” Cochran said.
Senior Cheyenne Dinsmore decided to try to earn the GWEC because she wanted to develop and demonstrate her college and workforce readiness skills.
“Having this certificate is an honor to me. It shows the hard work I have put toward completing the requirements of this program. This certificate will be added to my resume to show employers I have employable skills,” she said.
When Dinsmore is not working hard in school she is spending time with her horse, Tango, working on her truck, or riding her RZR off-road vehicle. After high school, she will attend Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus to study agriculture. She hopes to one day own or manage her own large-scale ranch.
Outside of the classroom, Fox can be found lifting weights, skiing, studying business and investing, and eating at nice restaurants with friends.
He plans to attend the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University this fall as a direct admit to major in management and minor in marketing. The work will not stop there, as he will also be marketing an app he made with a business partner out of Indianapolis, which will launch next spring.
“I wouldn’t say this certificate shaped my plans, but it was definitely more of the cherry on top,” Fox said.
“It’s a nice achievement, but it’s more to show future business partners, or employers for some people, that you are a dedicated person.”
Because much of Fox’s time was spent on his own business and jobs for clients during his senior year, he said he was almost in a pickle when it came to getting volunteer hours submitted. “I donated in-kind hours from a job I was working on at the time to fulfill this requirement, so it was a win-win for everyone,” he said.
Cochran said the process to earn his GWEC involved a lot of forward thinking and time, with maintaining the GPA, doing the interviews and creating resumes. He said that earning this certificate impacted how he thought about applying for college and the way he plans to move forward on his career path.
“I feel confident about applying for internships that relate to my degree program rather than looking for any part-time work that I can find,” Cochran said.
“I also spent more time volunteering this year, which helped me to see the ways in which I can have a positive impact on my community.”
Cochran will attend the Herron School of Art at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and plans to look for internships in graphic design before he goes off to work.
Dinsmore said the process of earning the GWEC helped her not only create a resume, learn interview skills and volunteer in her community, but it also made her be a team player.
The GWEC was supported by multiple organizations and businesses in county including Allison Steele Designs, Brown County Designs, the Brown County Community Foundation, Brown County Drug Free Coalition, the Brown County Visitors Center, McDonald’s, Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals, Mainstream Fiber, Purdue Extension, Turning Point, St. Vincent DePaul, YMCA of Brown County, Wagers Family Eye Care, Webb and Sons Auto Body and Work ONE.
The Brown County Rotary Club, Cummins Foundation Inc., Designscape and CENTRA Credit Union were financial supporters.
“We know the development of employability skills is critical to success beyond high school,” Wrightsman said.
“Whether these students’ next step includes college, military or workforce, we know they are prepared.”
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Megan Bickley, Noah Cochran, Kaylen Combest, Bryce Condon, David Cridlin Jr., Samuel Davis, Cheyenne Dinsmore, Travis Ely, Isa Fogg, Cameron Fox, Jackson Kelp, Emelia Koester, John Oliver, Isaac Peterson, Dalton Platt, Ricky Stanley, Natalie Suding, Ty Wesley, John Wietlisbach.
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