CA's Night of Success with the KickstART Program:
It was a triumphant night for Commercial Art students in the KickstART program at LCCTC in partnership with The Hoyt!
As some of our best students were being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, three of our students enrolled in the afterschool entrepreneurial training program presented their social entrepreneurship project to the New Castle City Council for approval.
Catalina Binder (sophomore/Ellwood), Jonah Poupore (junior/Ellwood), and Katherine Tillia (Senior/Ellwood) presented graphics and details of the project they and other students in our KickstArt program have been developing throughout this year. The proposal was originally intended to be installed outside of the Confluence downtown; however, after the students researched the location, they learned that — due to PennDot owning that road — additional regulations applied that prevented the project from working.
One of many skills entrepreneurs need is the ability to problem solve and adapt; our students learned that lesson. The team then moved to "plan B" and researched a new location at the intersection of East Lincoln Avenue and Highland Avenue. Having developed a budget and preparing a detailed plan, the next step was to get city approval.
We could not be more proud of the way our three students represented themselves, our school, and the KickstART program at the City Council meeting. Following their presentation and some questions by the council, which the students thorough research quickly provided answers for, the council unanimously praised the students and offered their support.
“When I found out I would be pitching a project to New Castle City council for a project that develops safety and beautification,” states Tillia, “I thought I would feel pretty confident. After all, I am on a public speech team, but once I stood up to speak, I felt those nervous butterflies.”
The key to the students’ success tonight was more than the ability to publicly speak, it was also in the confident preparation of their product. They knew it inside and out because it was truly theirs; all of the possible kinks had already been worked out. “However, because I felt so prepared — even for a few tough questions, I knew that I could continue with a smile and carry myself in a professional way. I had an answer for each question they had; preparation on the project and in my public speaking helped me feel confident.”
As a result of the students' work and their presentation, the City Council will be approving a resolution this Thursday to permit the project to continue. The next steps for the students will be choosing a date and working with the New Castle Police Department and City Works to schedule the necessary road closure for the installation of the crosswalk mural.
The students expressed that the reason for their colorful mural and the choice to do a crosswalk and not a wall, was to increase public safety by increasing the visibility of the walkway to motorists while also paying homage to our area’s rich musical history with famous performances that took place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral just up the avenue. In addition to the crosswalk, students will produce commercial art products inspired by the mural to sell at the Confluence downtown, further funding project expansion and upkeep.
One thing is for sure: No matter the task, LCCTC students have the skills and work ethic to get the job done, and we could not be more proud of our students for their hard work in improving their community.
To see the amazing presentation by our students visit the link below (:35-8:05 minutes):
