NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) by John Gerow – The old gym at the Redbank Valley High School was full Thursday afternoon as 60+ representatives from local and regional businesses met with more than 60 Seniors and a few Juniors in the school’s 4th annual “Search for Work Day”.

Search For Work Day – Redbank Valley High School – New Bethlehem PA 2018 (Photo courtesy of RVSD)

The afternoon long event gives students a real time, life like opportunity to sharpen their job hunting skills. In this year’s rendition, each student had the opportunity to conduct 3 mock interviews and receive feedback and constructive suggestions from the interviewers to improve their job hunting skills.

Redbank Valley Search for Work Day (Photo courtesy of TechReady Professionals)

Mr. Blane Gold, Redbank Valley High School Social Studies teacher, is the energy force behind the “Search for Work Day.” Mr. Gold participated in a similar program as a Student Teacher at Rocky Grove High School in Franklin, PA. He used the Rocky Grove experience to model Redbank’s program. From a modest start of 40 local businesses in 2014, the event has grown to 60 regional businesses in 6 counties. Businesses and hiring managers from Pittsburgh’s McGee’s Women’s Hospital to Forest County’s State Correctional Institution were examples of the extraordinarily diverse range of businesses represented.

Participating in the “Search for Work” project is a requirement of Mr. Gold’s Advanced Placement History and Senior Economics and Government classes. Prior to Thursday’s interview and feedback session, the students wrote cover letters to 3 businesses, prepared a resume, and filled out a standard job application. The interviewers also critiqued the letters, resumes and applications for the students. For many of the students, this is the first opportunity to attempt to land a job – even a make believe job. For some of the students, the feedback that they receive may be the first constructive contact from adults other than their parents and teachers.

Redbank Valley Search for Work Day (Photo courtesy of TechReady Professionals)

Mr. Gold told RedbankValley.org, “Our seniors consistently say that this is the most valuable learning experiences of their K-12 education. The best part of the experience is that it is community members providing the guidance and the feedback.”

The faculty, administration, and student body of Redbank High School are to be commended for the hard work and effort put into hosting Thursday’s event. Business participants commented on how well the students presented themselves and their school to the community. Generating stronger bonds between the next generation and the community will help the Redbank Valley to remain growing and vibrant for years to come.

Our team at RedbankValley.org commends Mr. Gold, Redbank Valley High School, and the student body – Well Done!

A special ‘Thank You’ to the 2018 ‘Search For Work Day’ participants:
Mrs. Amanda Coon, First United National Bank
Mr. Clint Hetrick, Hetricks Farm Supply Inc
Mr. Gordon Barrows, TechReady Professionals
Mr. John Gerow, RedbankValley.org c/o TechReady P
Mrs. Janelle Bond, Pat Merwin Realty
Mr. Dennis Gold, Dewatering Services LLC
Ms. Darlene Glasser, Applebee’s
Mrs. Joy Horner, Building Blocks Daycare and Preschool
Ms. Angie Shirey, Spero Group LLC
Mr. Bill Wills, Wills Contracting
Mrs. Faith O’Brien, Highland Oaks at Water Run
Mr. Eric Gourley, G&G Gas, Inc.
Mr. Ty Poster, Northwest Bank
Mrs. Tia Bowser, Pallone Family Healthcare – Family Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Pamela Shirey, Midwives at Magee/Magee Womens Hospital
Mr. Thomas Nicola, Carpenters Union Apprenticeship
Mrs. Cindy Campbell, Clarion County Community Bank
Mr. Kevin Doverspike, Pennsylvania State Police
Dr. Chad Shaffer, ACMH Primary Care
Mr. Josh Domitrovich, Clarion University
Mrs. Eileen Conners, Charles Leach
Mrs. Erin Lewis, Clarion University Career & Professional Development
Mrs. Jamie Lefever, Rotary Club
Ms. Ciara Rupp, STAT MedEvac/ UPMC
Mr. Andy Byers, Nolf Chrysler Dodge, Inc.
Dr. Justin Moore, Moore Physical Therapy, Inc
Mr. Colby Hunsberger, The Cancer Center at Clarion Hospital
Mrs. Tracy Myers, Clarion Hospital
Mr. Adam Barrett, Barrett Farms, Former RVSD School Board Member
Mrs. Ann Kopnitsky, Retired Special Education Teacher of 36 years
Mr. Mike Lewis, USDA Forest Service
Mr. Larry Gourley
Mr. Joseph Soltis, PA Dept. of Corrections, SCI-Forest
Ms. Lori Wills Gray, CRNP
Ms. Julie Kunsleman, Clarion Hospital
Mr. Brian Dougherty, Brookville Glove Manufacturing Company
Mrs. Janelle Bond, Pat Merwin Realty
Mr. Brian Reichard, Reichard Contracting, Inc.
Mr. Jason Huffman, Butler Area School District
Mr. Matthew LaVerde, Riverview Intermediate Unit #6
Mr. Chris Rossetti, (EYT Media) Explore Clarion.com/D9Sports.com
Mr. Michael Moore, Edward Jones
Mr. Stephen Mazik, DCNR Ranger State Parks
Miss Amy Haag, Brookville Veterinary Hospital
Mrs. Jessica Kirkpatrick
Mr. W. Patrick Conners, Wells Fargo, Inc.
Dr. Matt Brush, The Rehab Centre
Mr. Stephen Westover, Cook MyoSite Incorporated
Mrs. Kara Raybuck, Spero Group
Mrs. LindaFerringer, Redbank Valley Community Center
Mr. Richard Shirey, Shirey Farms
Mrs. April Renninger, Laurel Eye Clinic
Klingensmith’s Drug Store
Corporal Robert Hageter, Pennsylvania State Police
Mr. Jared Thomas, Pennsylvania State Police
Mrs. Samantha Smith, Thomas Kaminsky, DDS
Mrs. Jessica LaVerde, Reck Construction, Inc.
Mr. Joe Lynch, Redbank Valley School District, Moore Physical Therapy
Mr. Ryan Kirkpatrick, General Electric
Ms. Deb Zamperini, Debz Twisted Scissors

ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district