Logan County Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Benedetti encouraged seniors to either keep their talents local after graduation or return to help make their hometowns a better place to live after obtaining a degree in higher education.
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ABOVE: A Bellefontaine High School senior shakes hands with Bellefontaine Superintendent Brad Hall during the Bellefontaine Rotary Club’s 40th annual honors dessert on Wednesday evening. HOME PAGE SLIDE SHOW PHOTO: Benjamin Logan High School Interact Club member Jack Robinson introduces Logan County Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Benedetti, who was the featured speaker at the Bellefontaine Rotary Club’s 40th annual honors dessert Wednesday evening. |
“When I moved here 46 years ago, Bellefontaine had 13,000 people. The population today is 13,000 people,” he said. “That’s because we keep losing our young people.
“We can’t afford to continue with the zero growth trend we’ve experienced for the past 46 years. But your generation of millennials can be the generation to turn that around.”
His comments came during the Bellefontaine Rotary Club’s 40th annual recognition of Logan County students for excellence in academics during a Wednesday evening dessert and program at the Bellefontaine High School. In addition to the local recognition, each student was presented with a commendation from Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
The local chamber of commerce director noted that about 39 percent of local students typically get college degrees, while the remaining 61 percent find work in the local job market.
He said at the local level, high schools and local companies are working together to get students on track to successful careers in the existing local workforce.
“We need to change the perception that in order to be successful, you need to go to college,” Mr. Benedetti said. “I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go to college, just that it’s not for everyone and it’s not a requirement to be successful.
“For the 61 percent who will not go on to post-secondary education, we want to make them aware of workforce opportunities available right here in our own back yard.”
Read complete story in Thursday’s Examiner.
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