Adulting Day 2020 Was A Hit!

For Immediate Release
Adulting Day 2020 Was A Hit!
March 19, 2020
 
Adulting Day 2020 kicked off at 8:00 a.m. on March 5, 2020. Bay High School did an incredible job of hosting the event, which was attended by high school seniors from Bay High School, Hancock High School, Our Lady Academy, and Saint Stanislaus College.
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Structured as a conference-style program, students registered in advance for sessions that interested them.  Topics included “Money Management,” “Convo With A Cop,” “Keep Calm and Move Out – Renter’s 101”, “Grocery Shopping” and “Cooking Tips”, and “Stress Management” in addition to several other courses that formed a comprehensive curriculum.
 
The keynote speaker was Dr. Gabe Willis, Dean of Students of Southeastern Louisiana University and a proud Hancock County native. Dr. Willis provided an eloquent answer to the question often voiced by students – “Why are we learning about this?” His response included examples of subjects followed by their connection to top qualities sought by employers: problem-solving, written communication, and collaboration. He urged students to prioritize mental wellness in addition to physical health and academic accolades. The speech was insightful as well as informative, and all who were present walked away with newfound perspective!
 
The purpose of Adulting Day was to provide students with practical knowledge and skills to confidently step into adulthood upon graduation, as well as vital connections to resources available within their communities to assist them in navigating the process.
 
Over thirty experts served as instructors on these sessions and generously volunteered their time to investing in Hancock County’s future through educating and supporting our youth in their transition to “the real world.” Their experience, advice, and conversational approach kept students involved and prepared them that much more for their next steps.
 
This was bolstered by visiting the Information Fair.  Ten companies joined Adulting Day 2020 as exhibitors; engaging students on employment options that will soon be available to them, providing avenues to secondary education, registering over thirty seniors to vote, offering a look into military service, introducing local agencies and institutions that improve their quality of life and provide stability, and fostering professional relationships that will yield invaluable opportunities.
 
Hancock Resource Center appreciates the enthusiasm and support shown by all involved in Adulting Day 2020. School administrations, session instructors, Information Fair exhibitors and volunteers were amazing and very much appreciated.
 
Thank you to the generous sponsors of Adulting Day 2020: Brehm T. Bell, Attorney at Law; Coast Electric Power Association, The First, Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union, SouthGroup Insurance, The United States Army, and the Silver Slipper Casino.
 
A special shout-out is well-deserved to the team who cooked and served lunch! Jimmie Ladner and Noel Grafe, staff from the Hancock County Tax Assessor’s Office, Hancock County Emergency Management, Mayor Mike Favre, Mayor Tommy Schafer and many other wonderful volunteers served lunch to attendees.
 
HRC is thrilled with the success of Adulting Day 2020, and hopes to make the event an annual tradition. To get a head start on next year’s planning, call 228-463-8887 or email Victoria Mathias (vmathias@hancockhrc.org) and Colby DiMento (cdimento@hancockhrc.org).

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