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Susan Sterm gives presentation on DIISD careers program at Golden K meeting

Ben Determan photo Sandra Soltis, left, introduces her daughter, Susan Sterm, who was the guest speaker at the Golden K meeting Monday. Sterm is an instructor at the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Careers and Technical Center in Kingsford. She spoke on the programs offered at the center.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — We have endured the holidays and all the merry making that goes with that. Then a snowstorm put a halt to the Golden K meeting Jan. 7. Along came Jan.14, and nothing was going to stand in the way of these Golden Kers and their weekly meeting. Undaunted, the group made their way through the ice-covered parking lot, greeted one another warmly and settled down for some serious singing.

John Aune as chairman brought the meeting to order. Alyce Derwinski flexed her nimble fingers, Lois Outcelt put her best director’s foot forward and the seniors responded with gusto. Their voices reverberating down the hallways and throughout the building, ready to meet this New Year head on.

Happy birthday wishes to Pat Smaby Corson on Jan. 14 and LaVerne Calcari on Jan. 15. Ben Determan collected his winnings from the 50-50 drawing and Happy Dollars reflected thankful appreciation for Alyce Derwinski and all she contributes to the Golden K and Golden Throats.

Guests welcomed included the speaker, Susan Sterm, daughter of Sandra Soltis; Linda Bertola, daughter of Robert Bowman; and Kathy Arnold.

Arnold is the director of Dickinson-Iron Community Service Agency and brought several pictures of the Christmas party for special needs children for the bulletin board. The young people enjoyed their time at the party.

Soltis introduced her daughter and she took over from there. With the aid of a PowerPoint and a fold-out brochure, Sterm presented an overview of the programs offered to students through the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Career and Technical Education Center in Kingsford.

Some courses fulfill a portion of the early college program and students can receive their certification upon completion of their chosen course. Students choose a program that they feel fits their possible career choice Some find they need to altar their career decision and through this learning opportunity, students find their way to a program that offers a better fit for them and their future career choice. Earning a certification in anyone of the programs opens doors for future employment, validating this individual ability to become a team player in whatever field they have decided on.

Local companies offer employment to qualified students and welcome the chance to meet, train and local individuals who may become potential employees. The Technical Center and Bay College work closely together giving students every opportunity to develop their interest in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.

Sterm is an instructor in the electrical and mechanical systems in industry. This course introduces the student to the field of mechatronics. She is passionate about this field and brings that excitement to the classroom.

She demonstrated an electrical panel, explaining the students with hands on learning, can wire, understand the system, trouble shoot, recognize when the system works properly or not. This course prepares one for direct-entry level careers or to pursue one- or two-year certifications degrees and/or a four-year engineering degree. Most of the time is spent in the lab demonstrating the electrical and mechanical fundamentals of a project.

Receiving a substantial grant, Sterm researched extensively for the right equipment and among the purchases were robots. The local school systems do everything possible to bring education opportunities to students — keeping them competitive with the changes todays world presents. With state-of-the-art equipment, they learn skills that will carry them throughout their working futures. Today’s students have excellent instructors and many local companies are opening doors for experience. Job opportunities are available for substantial employment where ever they decide to go.

Entering the workforce as a skilled worker, having steady employment right out of high school or continuing education, gives the young people the chance to improve this world for themselves and the future populace.

If you haven’t been to the Technical Center, make an appointment and check it out. The staff and students are enthused with this type of learning and want to share it with you. This community, as well as the surrounding areas have outstanding programs and learning technics that differ from years ago. However, they continue to keep abreast of the best learning tools available giving local students a “running start” as they prepare for their working life.

Children’s advocate, Karla Lehmann of the Escanaba area will be guest speaker at the general meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. All are welcome.

The Golden Throats will sing at 2 p.m. Jan. 30 at Evergreen Heights Assisted Living in Kingsford.

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