Regional business and community leaders took a brief recess from their busy work, family and community lives to say thanks to the region’s educational system leaders and honor 23 exemplary staff and volunteers.
The honors were presented as part of the Learn Here Project, an effort to showcase our educational system and its remarkable leaders to inspire others and attract people and businesses considering relocating or expanding in the region.
“We are so appreciative by those who work so diligently in preparing our students,” said Chad Sessions of Real Living, The Real Estate Group. “Through their hard work and creativity, they are helping prepare our next generation of citizens, workers and leaders, which in turn, helps us grow our economy and community.” Real Living is joined by Northwest Capital Mortgage, the Port of Vancouver and the business group Identity Clark County in supporting the Learn Here Project. The reception was provided with event support from Waste Connections.
Those honored as Real Heroes include:
| INSTITUTION | Volunteer | Staff |
|---|---|---|
| BATTLE GROUND | Marcy Sprecher | Jason Foster |
| CAMAS | Alison Benjamin | Valerie Parbon |
| CLARK COLLEGE | Cheree Nygard | |
| EVERGREEN | Toby Lucich | Holly Long |
| HOCKINSON | Julie Atchley | Eirik Huset |
| INT'L AIR & HOSPITALITY ACADEMY | Donnie Sellers | Eugene Ferstman |
| LA CENTER | Eric Stenberg | Rebecca Morris |
| RIDGEFIELD | Pete Bartel | Kelly O’Boyle |
| VANCOUVER | Alicia Dunn | Anatoliy Romanchenko |
| WASHOUGAL | Rona Ager | Dani Allen |
| WA STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND | John Bannan | Corey Grandstaff |
| WSU VANCOUVER | Lindsay Fisher | Dr. Gisela Ernst-Slavit |
The region’s educational system is cited by many prospective residents and employers as a prime reason to locate in Clark County.
Clark County has about 80,000 students enrolled in K-12 programs, including novel environments such as schools specializing in healthcare and technology, and in career and technical skills through the shared Cascadia Technical Academy. Another 20,000 are enrolled in post-secondary programs including the Washington State University Vancouver research institution, two-campus Clark College and the private International Air & Hospitality Academy. Clark County sets the pace statewide in participation of the Running Start program where 2,500 high school juniors and seniors are taking coursework toward their Associate’s Degree at Clark College. It also stands apart in high school graduation rates and for the percentage of 25-34-year-old adults who have achieved an Associate’s Degree. Clark County also is home to statewide schools for the deaf and the blind and is known for its commitment to early childhood learning.
The Learn Here Project showcases our quality educational system and honors exemplary staff and volunteers, with cooperation from area educational institutions. The project is supported by Real Living, The Real Estate Group, Northwest Capital Mortgage and the Port of Vancouver USA. It is part of the Land Here, Live Here business growth initiative created and coordinated by the non-profit business leaders’ group Identity Clark County.