The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on education and the arts in December. The St. Marys Area school district hosted the class in the morning where Dr. Ramsey facilitated several problem-solving stations related to leadership and the K12 education landscape. Participants visited the Dutch Manufacturing classroom and learned about the student-run enterprise program. At the CEC building, participants visited Dickinson’s Children’s Center and learned about the Parents as Teachers programs; the IU9 Adult Basic Education instructor provided information about their classes; and the Northern PA Regional College demonstrated their live-interactive delivery platform and presented the various degree programs and noncredit trainings available at the CEC in St. Marys. Lunch was sponsored by the Northern PA Regional College.

Following lunch, local artist Janet VanEerden led the group through a water color exercise; and then the class travelled to the St. Marys Moose to meet Mike Ames and learn about the Footlighters of Elk County. Participants also presented vision boards of their small group community improvement projects. This year’s projects include assisting the Elk/Cameron Suicide Prevention Task Force in rolling out the 988 Helpline; installation of outdoor AED/First Aid stations in local communities; and creating a new fund at the Elk County Community Foundation to assist families with childcare costs.

This year’s participant sponsors include: Big Maple Farms Natural Therapies, Cameron County, CNB Bank, Commonwealth of PA/Dept. of Labor and Industry, CEC of Elk and Cameron, Dickinson Center, Elk County Community Foundation, Elk County Heat Treaters, Elk County Housing Authority, Emporium Foundation, Equus Workforce Solutions, Mersen, Ridgway and Johnsonburg Boroughs, and St. Marys Area School District.

For more information or to get involved in future Leadership Elk and Cameron sessions, please contact the CEC (814) 781-3437.