Submitted by Nikki Van Velson
OAKHURST — Soroptimist International of the Sierras hosted the first Career Support day for girls on Saturday, Jan. 23. The all-day conference Dream It – Be It included several speakers on topics such as self-esteem, exploring careers, turning failure into success, rising above obstacles, balancing your stress, being mentors, and putting dreams into action. In addition, the teens made dream boards, and a cupcake frosting demonstration was given by Laura Zabicki of Sweet Dreams Cakes.
Prizes were generously donated by several mountain area businesses including Branches Books, Oakhurst Giftworks, North Shore Clothing, Joelle Leder Photography and Back 2 Basics Clothing.
Many businesswomen in our community donated their time and expertise to show the girls that any career is possible. We could not have made the day so special and enriching without their assistance.
SI of The Sierras is making this a yearly project for our mountain area and will be inviting even more girls in grades 9 through 12 to attend in 2017. Comment cards at the end of the day were amazing and encouraging. All those who attended enjoyed the day tremendously.
Speakers included Educator & 31 Gifts Consultant Susan Nobles (Discovering Your Dreams and Exploring Careers), CHP Training & Public Information Officer Kaci Lutz (Creating Achievable Goals), Empowerment Educator Linda Newton, (Rising Above Obstacles), Pizza Factory Inc. President & CEO Mary Jane Riva (Being A Mentor), Sierra Pines Church Workshop Arts Director & Actor Heather Sconce (Turning Failure Into Success), Sr. Health Educator Kaiser Candice McAleavey (Balancing Your Stress), College Economics Professor Vikki Piper, (Putting Dreams Into Action), and Sweet Dreams Cakes Owner Laura Zabicki (Cupcake Demo). Oakhurst Chamber Executive Director Joelle Leder served as master of ceremonies.
Soroptimist International of the Sierras on Facebook
Dream It – Be It Co-Chairs were Michele Shockley, Physical Therapy Assistant at Kaiser Permanente, and Nikki Van Velson, Franchise Development, Pizza Factory Inc.
Photos by Joelle Leder Photography
