AROUND THE COMMUNITY: Smits begins training at U.S. Naval Academy

Jackson Smits, a recent Shawano Community High School graduate, was inducted into the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2026 on June 30, beginning six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training as part of Plebe Summer.

Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year out of 16,000 applications for the academy’s “plebe” or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer. During this time, plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet or music, and restricted access to cell phones. They are only permitted to make three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer.

The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the naval academy and the four years of challenge that await them.

As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing and handling yard patrol craft. Plebes also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical or professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, obstacle, endurance and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental and team-building skills. Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

Beres coordinates JA financial literacy program

Any successful non-profit operation that uses volunteers needs behind-the-scenes support to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. That is the role Kathryn Beres fulfills for Junior Achievement in Shawano County.

For the past year, Beres has donated her time to help coordinate JA financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programs for Shawano students. In addition to her duties as a business teacher at Shawano Community High School, Beres recruits community volunteers and coordinates the delivery of classroom materials used by JA volunteers in the Shawano School District.

“As a teacher, I have had the great pleasure to see the connections students make with JA volunteers who so generously give their time and expertise,” said Beres. “Students benefit from learning real world scenarios from business experts in our community, practice leadership skills by volunteering their own time to teach JA to elementary students, and are challenged by participating in JA scholarship competitions.”

Beres supports JA programming because it is a way for students to connect with volunteers and get excited about local job opportunities. In addition, many high school students choose to become JA volunteers and teach elementary school kids how to use money wisely and how communities thrive when people give back and help others to succeed.

Beres completed graduate courses at Concordia University and received her license to teach high school business education. She has been a teacher in the Shawano School District for six years.

New Beginnings opens its shop in Gillett

New Beginnings Resale Store and New Heights, which fall under the umbrella of services offered by New View Industries, opened their doors June 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held with the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

The new 6,000-square-foot building, located at 228 W. Park St. in Gillett, houses the New Beginnings Store as well as program space aimed at assisting disabled youth and adults at New Heights.

New Beginnings is currently open, and a grand opening was held July 9 offering specials, treats and a chance to win prizes. The building project was made possible through funding provided by the Community Development Block Grant, a federal program focused on community development.

New View Industries is a nonprofit training facility for individuals who are intellectually/physically disabled or who have other barriers. Their mission is to provide participants with outstanding vocational and skills training to help them achieve greater independence in all aspects of their lives.

Cecil woman receives SkillsUSA certificate

A career and technical student in Cecil won one of the nation’s highest awards at the 2022 SkillsUSA Championships, held June 22-23 in Atlanta.

Emelie Horsens, of Cecil, who is a student at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in automotive refinishing technology.

More than 5,200 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education. The SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skill competition in the world and covers 1.79 million square feet, equivalent to 31 football fields or 41 acres.

The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/post-secondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The national, nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry is a verified talent pipeline for America’s skilled workforce that is working to help solve the skills gap.

Haystack breakfast to help Jordan Thomson

Bethel Lutheran Church in Green Valley, will be sponsoring a benefit for Jordan Thomson from 8 a.m. to noon July 30 at Spirits of Gillett, 145 N. McKenzie St., Gillett.

There will be a haystack breakfast served. The cost is $10 a plate for ages 12 and older, $5 for ages 6-11, and ages 5 and under eat free. Bucket, meat and 50/50 raffles will take place, along with a bake sale.

Proceeds will be donated to Thomson, who was seriously injured in an industrial accident in March 2021.