Connecting to Success
Connecting To Success is a high impact workforce preparation program in a business conference format. Over 100 volunteer mentors from the business community lead students through role-playing, case studies, group discussions, and individual assessments to build workplace professionalism, and the ability to influence others as responsible adults.
Connecting to Success was developed in the Santa Clarita Valley through the partnership of the Valley Industryl Association of Santa Clarita (VIA) and Junior Achievement of Southern California (JA). From 2003 - 2008, VIA and JA partnered to deliver this unique and innovative program to high school juniors in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Since 2009, the VIA Foundation and the Valley Industry Association have been producting, planning, and funding the project in its entirety.
Beginning with a few hundred students from Valencia High School, Connecting to Success has grown into a program that is replicated in communities across the nation. Six high schools and nearly 2,000 students participated in the 2010 Connecting to Success in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Participating High Schools in 2011:
- William S. Hart
- Bowman
- Golden Valley
- Saugus
- Valencia
- West Ranch
For more information contact:
Kathy Norris, CEO/President of VIA
661.294.8088
kathy@via.org
VIA Star
Click here for Student Team Registration Application:
http://www.via.org/images/pages/VIASTARStudentApplication2011-12.doc
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Click here for Business Partner Registration Application:
http://www.via.org/images/pages/VIASTARBusinessApplication2011-12.doc
In keeping with the goal of the VIA Foundation to provide a link between education and business, this project is an ideal platform for outreach to all grade levels and provides relationships and learning experiences for all participants.
Students will create a new product or service in partnership with a member business. Student teams will consist of between 3 and 5 students and will work with a teacher coach. Students will present final project to a panel who will then judge and select winners. An awards presentation will take place in March and the top team will present its project at the monthly Valley Industry Assocation luncheon meeting in April. Prizes will be awarded to team members and to Teacher Coaches.
This project will improve the community by utilizing the creativity and intellect of our youth to enhance businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley. Students will benefit by gaining experience to the business world and how corporations operate. Relationships will be solidified between students and businesses encouraging our students to seek careers locally and remain in the Santa Clarita Valley. Our Corporate Partners will benefit by gaining the insight of the student team members, which can be applied towards business product development. Members of these student teams will be the future leaders of the Santa Clarita Valley – participation in this project will provide the experience that our students need to set them on their way.
VIA STAR Program 2012 ~ Important Dates
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Dates
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Description
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December 1, 2011
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Application Process Opens For all Schools and Student Teams
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February 3, 2012
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School Team Application Deadline to VIA Office
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January 17, 2012 - February 6, 2012
February 6, 2012
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Student Teams Meet With Business Partners to Develop Projects
Questions About Program Due to VIA Electronically
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February 7, 2012
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Student Teams Present Their Outline To Business Client
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February 21, 2012 (earlier is okay too!)
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Student Teams Make Their Mock Presentation to Business Partners
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March 2, 2012
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Business Evaluation Form Submission Deadline
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March 7, 2012
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Student Teams Present to Judging Panelists
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March 19, 2012
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Awards Program, 6:00 p.m., Location TBD
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April 17, 2012
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Winning Team makes presentation at VIA Luncheon Meeting at Valencia Country Club
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For more information contact:
VIA Office, (661) 294-8088
admin@via.org