Daily Archive for June 16 2010
Davis Speaks at Elevations Luncheon
The story below appears in this week’s West Virginia Record.
By Kyla Asbury
Statehouse Bureau
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis spoke at a luncheon June 10 at the University of Charleston that was sponsored by Elevations, the Charleston Area Alliance’s Professional Women’s Network.
About 90 people attended the luncheon, which was held in the University of Charleston’s Erma Byrd Art Gallery.
JoEllen Zacks, the senior vice president of Charleston Area Alliance, said they were privileged and excited to have Davis at the luncheon.
“This is such a wonderful opportunity and experience for us,” Zacks said.
Zacks said Charleston Area Alliance’s goal is bringing the people, communities and businesses together.
“Together we can give the future a chance to fly,” Zacks said. “The best is yet to come.”
Davis said it was an honor to speak at the luncheon.
“It’s truly a pleasure to be among so many accomplished women,” Davis said. “To have the opportunity to speak with you and answer your questions is an honor.”
Davis discussed the new proposed appellate procedure rules when she spoke, highlighting the main reasons for updating the rules.
“The current rules are outdated since the last change was made 35 years ago,” Davis said. “The new rules are more modernized and transparent.”
Elevations’ mission is to enrich, empower and elevate professional women to achieve success.
“Professional women rely on Elevations as an essential network that will connect them with resources, contacts and information to enhance their lives,” Zacks said.
Davis said it is tough to juggle a career and a family, but it is not impossible.
“My husband is extremely supportive and helps me in any way he can,” Davis said. “Organization is the key. It is not impossible to have a career and a family.”
Elevations will hold its first annual Elevations Enrichment and Leadership Academy in September, Zacks said.
“Our first workshop is going to provide wonderful opportunities,” Zacks said. “It will be an incredible experience.”
The workshop will be held at the Embassy Suites on Sept. 14 and will begin at 8 a.m. The cost is $65 for Alliance members and $75 for others who would like to attend.
For more information, visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or call 304-340-4253.
Generation Charleston Focusing on Scholarships, Workshops
The story below appears in today’s Charleston Gazette.
By Whitney Burdette
Staff writer
Generation Charleston, a committee of the Charleston Area Alliance, has chosen College Summit as its year-long cause.
The group is seeking volunteers to staff College Summit’s six summer workshops at colleges and universities around the state. It’s also working to provide funds for a scholarship.
Larissa Adams, a senior from Sissonville High School, was chosen to receive Generation Charleston’s $2,000 scholarship. She also received a laptop and will receive $100 certificates each year for the next three years.
“We chose Larissa because she had a very powerful essay,” said Rachelle Beckner, project coordinator. “She’s a well-rounded student with a lot of drive and desire to achieve. We could see her succeeding with this extra push.”
Adams accepted the scholarship and laptop at an event on June 3.
College Summit was formed in Washington in 1993 to help inner-city students improve their writing skills before going to college. Since then, the organization has expanded to 13 states, including West Virginia.
College Summit hosts workshops at colleges and universities throughout the state where students work on their writing skills and develop a compelling essay to use on their college applications, Beckner said.
“It works with students who are B or C students who have a potential they don’t see,” Beckner said.
The Charleston Area Alliance has teamed up with College Summit in the past, and has also provided scholarships. However, this is Generation Charleston’s first involvement with the organization.
“What we agreed to was to issue the scholarship and raise funds for it,” Beckner said. “The other big component was to help College Summit find the volunteers they need for their workshops. They need people to serve as writing coaches.”
Beckner said almost anyone can volunteer as a College Summit writing coach, even those who are not professional writers. Background checks are conducted to maintain student safety, and training is provided for volunteers.
“If someone has writing skills, that would be helpful,” Beckner said. “I think just the desire to help young people be successful and go to college would be the first criteria.”
Concord University in Athens and Glenville State College in Glenville are in need of volunteers for their workshops in late June and July. Each workshop is three days and participants and coaches stay on-campus in a residence hall.
The Concord workshops are scheduled for June 24-27 and July 8-11. The Glenville workshops are scheduled for July 15-18 and July 22-25.
One of Generation Charleston’s goals is to make the city more appealing to businesses through community projects and organizations like College Summit, said group member Danny Forinash.
“The purpose of the group is to make Charleston more attractive for younger professionals in the Kanawha Valley region in terms of keeping them here and attracting new people to the region,” Forinash said.
Generation Charleston is continually fundraising for the scholarship. It will host a homecoming-themed gala on Aug. 7 at the University of Charleston Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $30 and include food and drink, music, contests and door prizes. Beckner said approximately $10 of every ticket will go directly to the scholarship fund.
To volunteer for a College Summit workshop, contact Jayme Waldeck at 304-204-4061. To donate to the Generation Charleston College Summit Scholarship, call Danny Forinash at 304-340-4253.
Nova Invites You to an Open House
