AT&T Announces $5,000 Innovation Award to Support Kenosha Chamber’s BEPP Program

New Program Introduces High School Freshmen to College Possibilities & Manufacturing Careers

 

141204-att-innovation-award.jpg ​AT&T presents a $5,000 AT&T Innovation Award to the Kenosha Chamber to support their program that connects 9th graders with higher education and manufacturing opportunities. Pictured L-R: Mayor Keith Bosman, Tricia Conway of AT&T, Senator Bob Wirch, Rep. Tod Ohnstad and Rep. Samantha Kerkman.

KENOSHA, Thursday, December 4, 2014 — AT&T announced today a $5,000 AT&T Innovation & Investment Award to support the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Education Partners (BEPP) program for the spring 2015 semester.


The goal of the program is to connect up to 100 Kenosha County 9th graders with institutions of higher learning and local manufacturing businesses to provide them with experiences and information as they think about education and career plans.


The AT&T donation was announced during the BEPP Graduation Celebration at Indian Trail High School and Academy in Kenosha. The event celebrated the achievements of 53 participating high school freshmen who completed four weeks of college level courses, as well as workshops at local manufacturing company Ocean Spray.


“We are very excited to offer this program to not only introduce our high school students to higher education opportunities, but also to careers in the manufacturing field,” said Lou Molitor, President/CEO of the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are very grateful for AT&T’s continued support as we help our young people consider exciting options as they prepare career plans.”


The BEPP program is a collaboration between the Kenosha Unified School District, Gateway Technical College, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Carthage College and local manufacturing companies. The first class of participating freshmen completed the inaugural BEPP program classes this past spring, with the second class graduating today.


Students participated in the BEPP afterschool program from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. one day a week for four consecutive weeks this fall. The 53 participating students are from Bradford High School, Indian Trail High School and Academy, and Tremper High School.


During those four weeks, the students also participated in college level courses like geology, computer science and graphic design at Gateway and UW-Parkside. In addition, they participated in workshops at local manufacturing company Ocean Spray that included a presentation about the business and a tour of the company’s manufacturing processes. The students also visited the Roger Prange Municipal Center in the Village of Pleasant Prairie and found out how 2.25 million gallons of water is distributed to the residents of Pleasant Prairie on a daily basis.


“The BEPP program is an excellent way to not only introduce local students to higher education opportunities, but also get them excited and thinking about careers in advanced manufacturing,” said State Senator Bob Wirch (D-Somers). “This program is a perfect example of local business leaders, higher education leaders and companies all coming together to invest in Wisconsin’s future workforce.”


“Encouraging students to think about life beyond high school is so important,” said State Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha). “The BEPP program is a great way to get them to do so, and to consider the manufacturing profession. We are lucky in Kenosha to have leaders who want to innovate, both to grow our economy and prepare young people for participating in the workforce.”


In addition to today’s donation, AT&T has also provided $10,000 in funding to support the BEPP Program through the AT&T Wisconsin Innovation & Investment Award program. The program provides funding to organizations and programs that improve the community by advancing education, enhancing the environment, promoting economic development, or delivering other community services.


“We are very proud to once again support the Kenosha Chamber’s BEPP program,” said Scott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “This is a wonderful program that is helping prepare students for success after high school in both college and careers. AT&T is committed to investing in education and helping prepare our young people for future success.”