South Gibson Star-Times

See SNOW on page 2 $1.00 12 PAGES TueSday, JaNuary 31, 2023 VOLUME 68, NUMBER 29 SPORTS A7 Haubstadt eighth grade boys undefeated NEWS TIPS Phone: ������������������������812-753-3553 Email ��������������� editor@sgstartimes�com INSIDE Classifieds �������������� A3 Sports �����������������A5-9 Opinion ���������������� A10 Church ����������������� A11 History ����������������� A12 One Section • One Insert Fort Branch 47648-0070 (USPS #205-620) By elizabeth elpers Star-Times Contributor news@sgstartimes.com Students from North Gibson and South Gib- son School Corporations were invited to speak to sophomore and junior students at Gibson Southern High School on Friday, Jan. 20. As students are preparing to decide what courses to take for the 2023-2024 school year, representatives of the Gibson County CEO program, along with teacher Rick Coleman, wanted to ensure students were aware of an opportunity available to them through this new program to the Gibson County area. The "Creating Entrepreneurial Opportu- nities" program, or CEO, was established 13 years ago by Midland Institute for Entrepre- neurship, based out of Effingham, Illinois. The institute's website boasts their program is now represented in 10 states, with a total of 70 programs. As it stands, Vincennes, Mt. Carmel and Washington Community Schools also currently participate in the CEO program. The goal of Midland Institute of Entrepre- neurship is to establish a partnership with area stakeholders, including local businesses, area schools and community leaders, in creating a successful CEO program within a particu- lar area. To begin, the program needs at least 45 local investors to commit to dedicating $1,000 a year, for three years. There is also "Friends of CEO" that commits to lesser amounts. The CEO program consists of a board made up of members from three county school dis- tricts including Gibson Southern's guidance counselor Kelley Asay, Princeton Community High School principal Amy Stough, East Gib- son teacher Tim Morton and Todd McConnell from Toyota. This program is different in that students can not simply enroll in the CEO program. Rather, they must undergo an extensive appli- cation process. Students must submit a para- graph or two explaining why they want to be in the program and why they think they would be a good fit. They must also include a letter of recom- mendation. The board will then review each student's application and choose the best can- didates to allow into the program. Rick Coleman is the teacher and facilitator of this program. He is also the JAG instructor at Princeton Community High School. His ded- ication to education and to the CEO program is undeniable. Coleman said it has taken a few years to get this program up and running due to COVID, but his commitment to the program, along with the community support brought his vision to fruition this year and he hopes to see the program grow in the years to come. Class looks different than what students are accustomed to. CEO students meet Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Some days students meet at Princeton Public Librar y, other days they meet at area businesses to talk with local business owners and tour business- es. Other days, business owners and other pro- fessionals come and speak with CEO students. Students learn the ins and outs of what it takes to successfully run a business. Even Sec- retar y of State Holly Sullivan paid the students a visit. They learn some of the local histor y of Gibson County's most well-known businesses, such as local restaurant Log Inn. Students were able to tour the restaurant and learn about the histor y of the building, along with the genera- tional family running of the restaurant. On days students are not meeting with lo- cal professionals, they brainstorm and discuss their own business ideas. During the first se- mester, students created a group business plan. Last semester, students created "Christmas Light-Up." Students would go to homes and businesses and put up Christmas lights and decorations for a fee. Students had to take their business idea before the board for approval pri- or to being given the go-ahead to embark on their business venture. For the spring semester, each student will undertake their own business plan. Again, stu- dents will have to take their individual business ideas before the board for approval in hopes of receiving a loan. They must convince the board that they have adequately thought their business through and most importantly, their business will make money to repay the loan, like any other busi- ness venture. Some individual business ideas include an online clothing boutique, custom-scented can- dles, vending machines, hand-crafted earrings, and cookie baking businesses. CEO students earn three credits for com- pletion of this program. This program also ser ves as one of the graduation pathways that the state of Indiana now requires students to complete in order to graduate high school. It is more than credits that these students are gaining, however. Students learn how to interact with adults, they learn how to properly shake a hand, they learn networking skills, they learn how to speak in public settings and they learn how to conduct themselves in an inter view. These are skills that will carr y them far into the future and which are often not taught in a classroom setting. Coleman said, "Students are not treated like kids." CEO students are expected to arrive on time and conduct themselves in a profession- al manner at all times. Gibson Southern High School senior Rachel Pohl said, "The most valuable skills I have learned so far in the CEO program are communication, team building, and problem solving. While I possessed these skills previously, the program has expanded them. I talk with adults and peers ever y day and work with a team of six other students to create businesses, and together we solve any problems that may arise." "I have also learned business skills. This se- mester we are working on an individual busi- ness and the research I have done has expand- ed my knowledge tremendously." At the end of the school year, students put on a trade show where they get to display for the board, investors, businesses and the com- munity the culmination of their work. For some students, their businesses will cease there, but for some, these businesses will turn into college businesses, and for others, life-long business, said Coleman. For more information about the CEO pro- gram and Midland Institute for Entrepreneur- ship, please visit https://www.midlandinstitute. com/about-us. From left to right: rachel Pohl, Megan Cooper, Jesse rodriguez, Cullen Blaize, raina Slay, Blake Smith, Kalin Bedwell, and rick Coleman) CeO program students explain what it's all about. No serious injuries in head-on crash Both drivers escaped with no serious inju- ries when two pickup trucks crashed into each other at the intersection of I-69 and Highway 68 last Wednesday. Deputy Sheriff Loren Barchett said Louis A. Gee, 52, of Elberfeld was driving a 2010 GMC Sierra was on Highway 68 and attempt- ed to turn south on I-69 at about 4:30 a.m. and did not yield right of way to Justin T. Williams, 22, of Boonville, who was driving a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup. The trucks collided head-on in- to each other causing major front end dam- age to both. Gee told police he was experiencing low blood sugar, which may have contributed to his driving, according to Deputy Barchett. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Damage was estimated at between $25,000 and $50,000. South Gibson utilizes first e-learning of School Year By elizabeth elpers Star-Times Contributor news@sgstartimes.com South Gibson School Corpo- ration students woke up to what was initially a two-hour delay on Wednesday, Jan. 25. At approximately 7:50 a.m., school of ficials decided to close schools and implement an asyn- chronous e-learning day instead, which left some parents scram- bling for last-minute childcare, but know that these decisions are not made lightly and made with the safety of students in mind. What is asynchronous? Ac- cording to the Ohio State Uni- versity website, "Asynchronous learning allows you to learn on your own schedule, within a cer- tain time frame. You can access and complete lectures, readings, homework and other learning materials online." Learning ma- terials are typically accessed on- line via classroom management systems like Google Classroom or Canvas. Why not let the kids have a normal snow day? Well, for star t- ers, winter is far from over and SGSC only has two built-in snow days on this year's calendar, the first one being Apr. 7 and the second being Apr. 17. Odds are, Gibson County will see at least two more snow days based on years passed. In previous years, the Indi- ana Depar tment of Education allowed schools to apply for waivers for days school canceled due to inclement weather. This is no longer the case. This year, the IDOE made the decision to allow school districts three asynchronous e-learning days to utilize throughout the school year. Once these days are used, the built-in snow days will be used. Should the two built-in snow days be depleted, addition- al school days would need to be added to the end of the school year calendar. For students unable to com- plete online assignments on the assigned e-learning day, they have seven days to complete and turn in the assignments. This includes students who have in- ternet access issues at home or may not have access to a device at home. Teachers are expected to be available throughout the e-learning day to answer emails, messages, and other questions that students and parents may have, but they may do so in the comfor t of their own home. For many teachers who have a snowy morning in Gibson County was captured by Scott Walden. Star-Times employees go remote The South Gibson Star-Times has tran- sitioned to a virtual workplace with em- ployees working from their homes. The former Star-Times building has closed. As the company adapts to current technology and times, they maintain their commitment to the South Gibson community. For subscriptions and paper deliver y inquiries, call 765-884-1902 or email hmg- circulation@gmail.com. For news submissions, email editor@ sgstartimes.com, deadline is Friday at 10 a.m. For legal notices, email hmglegals@ gmail.com, deadline is Friday at 10 a.m. For advertising, email startimesads@ gmail.com or call 812-664-2359, deadline Friday at 10 a.m. Students put their public speaking skills to the test

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