Help Young Professionals of Fayette County Beat Cancer
20% of your purchase at Panda Express will go toward YP Fayette’s Relay for Life efforts!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
5 pm – 10 pm
20% of your purchase goes to YP Fayette’s Relay for Life efforts- Present this FLYER from 5 pm to 10 pm at
Highway 54 & McDuff PANDA EXPRESS, 2707 West Hwy. 54, Peachtree City
For directions, please visit pandaexpress.com
1, 60, 1,440: These aren’t the winning numbers of the next lottery. These are the number of people in the US that die of cancer – every minute of every hour of every day.
While cancer may claim over half a million victims each year, the American Cancer Society and Young Professionals of Fayette County aren’t standing silently. Through annual Relay for Life events nation-wide, millions of cancer survivors, afflicted family members, and supportive friends lend their love and resources to walk in solidarity against these crippling diseases.
On Friday, May 18th, YP Fayette and many other organizations and supporters will flock to Falcon Field for the Fayette County Relay for Life. The event is aimed at raising funds for cancer awareness, research, and support; but above all else, it is a celebration of life. Survivors will be commended for their fight, family members will proudly pay memory to their lost loved ones, and rest assured, everyone will have a good time as each participant’s stride brings the end of cancer one step closer.
Join YP Fayette at their booth as they celebrate life all night long. The group will have cake, commemorative shirts and cups, and maybe even a dashing young man in women’s clothing to help in their fundraising efforts. There will be no shortage of fun with the YP crew, and you too can help out. If you would like to join the YP Relay for Life team contact Brad Edmonds at bedmonds@tri-copy.com or 770-716-7558.
The Fayette Chamber launched its first Jr. Entrepreneur Competition this year to encourage students to dream big and step into the world of business. Local high school students with a passion for entrepreneurship were given the opportunity to enter the contest by creating their own detailed business plans. Each plan outlined the type of company the students would like to develop and own in Fayette County.
Throughout the school year, area business representatives specializing in fields such as finance, marketing, international marketing and insurance provided classroom presentations. Individual students, as well as student teams, submitted written business plans to the Chamber in April. An outstanding panel of judges evaluated each Written Business Plan Outline, comprised of the following components: Executive Summary, including Mission Statement and Management Plan; Marketing Analysis & Organization Plan, including Summary Description of the Business and Products or Services to be Provided; Marketing Strategy, including Methods of Sales & Distribution and Pricing; and Financial Documents, including Cash Flow Statement and Break-Even Analysis.
The distinguished panel of judges included Dr. Alphonso Ogbuehi, Dean of the College of Business-Clayton State University; Dr. Bill Lightfoot, Dean of the College of Business-Brenau University; Alisa Kirk, Area Director of the Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University; Heather Chaney, Program Coordinator of the Small Business Development Center; Jan Krzykwa, Marketing Manager of TCIS-The Complete Insurance Source; Doug Bates, President of CMIT Solutions; and Dr. Suzanne Erickson, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Mass Communications at Brenau University.
A week later, the judges returned to the chamber to assess each competitor’s oral presentation. Each business plan and oral presentation was scored on a point system which awarded up to a total of 100 points. The detailed Marketing Strategy, for example, was worth a maximum of 35 points.
Several Sandy Creek High School students participated in the event: LeDreina George, who presented a business plan for Annie Mae’s In-Home Health Care, a mobile health-care company which would offer all off the necessary elements for elder care; Rockne Vidourek, Aundrey Flewellen, and Hong Cheng, who presented a plan for Thermal Climber, a business dedicated to the development of a quality weather and element-resistant coat containing a heating apparatus within the lining to distribute warmth and comfort; Thafari Serrano, who represented Urban Vogue 16, a clothing line that would include hoodies equipped with technology devices capable of offering entertainment and medical applications; and Armend Kaleshi, who introduced BassFit, a trendy new clothing line for Fayette County young adults who enjoy dance music such as hip-hop, house, dubstep and techno.
Two Fayette County High School students were recognized as the winners of this year’s Competition at the chamber’s annual Partners in Education Breakfast held on April 26th:
Amanda McLeroy, the Runner-Up, proposed Baking in Flower, a combination bakery and flower shop/garden (“We not only smell good, but we taste good, too.”). Her company would offer a broad range of beautiful floral arrangements and amazing desserts. She was awarded a week-long opportunity to participate in Clayton State University’s Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy.
Nisa Floyd, the Grand Prize Winner, presented a plan for Undine Botanicals, an environmentally friendly and socially responsible hair care products company dedicated to serving customers with curly hair (“Nature has no flaws; beauty has no limits.”). Its goal is to preserve and improve curly hair through the use of organic ingredients. Nisa was awarded the Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy opportunity as well as a Netbook.
This Competition would not have been possible without the advice and encouragement of teachers/coaches Ms. Jaime Carter, Ms. Melissa Duncan and Ms. Melissa Leonard. They enthusiastically provided support throughout the school year in preparation for this competition.
The Fayette Chamber also thanks the sponsors of the Jr. Entrepreneur Competition: Huntington Learning Center, The Southern Federal Credit Union, Gallopade International, Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services, ServPro of Fayette and South Fulton, Mallory Aviation, and Clayton State University.
PHOTOS The Fayette Chamber’s annual Partners in Education Recognition Breakfast was held last week as educators and community business leaders gathered to celebrate outstanding efforts by the business community to help Fayette Co. public schools. The Partners in Ed program, a joint effort of the Fayette Chamber and the Fayette Co. Board of Education, pairs the resources of community-minded businesses with schools that can use the resources to provide enhanced educational experiences for students.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Tony Wagner, a best-selling author and educational consultant from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Wagner commended the work of the Fayette Co. School System for the progress being made to adapt to 21st century challenges. He shared the results of his extensive research on characteristics of successful teachers in the modern culture and suggested that creating a culture of innovation is the key to preparing our students for future careers. Dr. Wagner also spoke at a Town Hall Meeting at Starrs Mill High School – a link to the video of the evening is available by emailing Connie@FayetteChamber.org
The 2012 Outstanding Partner Award was given to two local businesses for their contributions to the school system. Play It Again Sports was recognized for their support of Spring Hill Elementary School with playground equipment, sponsoring their annual 5K and providing discounts and incentives to school families. Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services was the second award winner for their support of J.C. Booth Middle School through creating a day camp to help ease the transition of 6th graders into middle school, financial support, and many hours of time and effort spent to help the school in various ways. The Outstanding School Partner Award was presented to Oak Grove Elementary.
Two Fayette County High School students were also recognized as winners of the chamber’s first Jr. Entrepreneur Competition. The students were challenged to dream big and create a business that would be successful in the future. They constructed a business plan and worked with teachers and coaches to create both written and oral presentations for the judges. The distinguished panel of judges included Dr. Alphonso Ogbuehi, Dean of the College of Business-Clayton State University; Dr. Bill Lightfoot, Dean of the College of Business-Brenau University; Alisa Kirk, Area Director of the Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University; Heather Chaney, Program Coordinator of the Small Business Development Center; Jan Krzykwa, Marketing Manager of TCIS-The Complete Insurance Source; Doug Bates, President of CMIT Solutions; and Dr. Suzanne Erickson, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Mass Communications at Brenau University. The winners were Amanda McLeroy for Baking in Flower, a flower shop including a garden and bakery and Nisa Floyd for Undine Botanicals, an environmentally friendly hair care product company.
The Fayette Chamber would like to thank the Rotary Club of Peachtree City for being the Presenting Sponsor of the breakfast, as well as Huntington Learning Center; Delta Community Credit Union; Kiwanis Club-Fayetteville; NCR; Piedmont Fayette Hospital and all the other sponsors who made the event possible.
Join us for Speed Networking on Tuesday, April 24, 7:30 am – 3rd Floor Chamber. FayetteChamber.org/SpeedNetworking
This month, YP is celebrating their 3rd anniversary at their April Speaker N Latte on Wednesday, April 25, 8:30 am at the chamber. Dan Cathy, President & COO of Chick-fil-A will be the guest speaker. YP Fayette is a group of young professionals between the ages of 21 & 40 who work or have an interest in Fayette County. They meet monthly to network and also are involved in community activities and leadership development. Their most recent initiatives include Lunch with a Leader and the Young Proteges mentoring program which pairs participating YPs with a seasoned member of the business community.
Congratulations to Dr. Jonathan Bender for winning the Fayette Chamber’s annual $10,000 drawing. Proceeds from the annual drawing help the chamber fund programs and events for the local business community.
Photo L to R: Dr. Jonathan Bender: Virginia Gibbs, Chamber President & CEO
For more information, visit www.FayetteChamber.org
Video by Studio 25 Productions
Ninth annual history festival recreates 1940s, educates and entertains
“Remember Pearl Harbor!”, Rosie the Riveter, and Glenn Miller. Experience the sights and sounds of the Greatest Generation when the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing hosts the ninth annual “WWII Heritage Days” April 14-15, 2012. The history festival will be held at The Historical Airpower Facility, 1200 Echo Court, Falcon Field, Peachtree City from 9am-4pm both days.
The weekend will again feature vintage aircraft, period vehicles, education displays, guest speakers and demonstrations, including mock battles between reenactors portraying American and Axis troops. Local actors and singers from Twilight Theatre will impersonate 1940’s celebrities and perform 1940’s musical hits throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, April 14, 2012 the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing will host “Keep ‘em Flying”, a World War II-theme hangar dance and dinner, complete with big-band performances, 1940’s Hollywood stars, and swing dance demonstrations, all surrounded by rare World War II aircraft and memorabilia. The nostalgic festivities will be held at the Historical Airpower Facility, Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field (KFFC), Peachtree City, 6pm-11pm.
“Keep ‘em Flying” guests will hear the Peachtree Jazz Edition perform big band tunes made famous by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. Described as “one of the best bands in Atlanta”, the Peachtree Jazz Edition has a loyal swing dance following and is returning to “Keep ‘em Flying” for the tenth straight year. Joining the band will be actresses from Twilight Theater performing as Betty Grable and the Andrews Sisters. Artistic Director Alison Chambers has assembled over 20 actors to portray famous entertainers from the era.
WWII Heritage Days” is an annual program that promotes education and patriotism. The CAF Dixie Wing is a non-profit education organization that relies on fundraisers and donations to restore WWII aircraft and teach WWII history.
Suggested donation for “WWII Heritage Days” is $5; Children 5 and under free. The public is also asked to bring a canned food item to be donated to the Fayette Samaritans food pantry. “WWII Heritage Days” will be held rain or shine. Please no pets. Tickets for “Keep ‘em Flying” are $50 before April 13th, $60 at the door. Reserved tables and group discounts available. For more information, please visit www.wwiidays.org or call 678-364-1110.
The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Midland, Texas, the organization has over 9,500 members and operates a fleet of over 150 World War II aircraft. www.commemorativeairforce.org
Contact:
Jeff Greer, WWII Heritage Days Media Relations, CAF Dixie Wing at 904-307-9789 (C), forpsp@hotmail.com
Chris Madrid, Public Information Officer, CAF Dixie Wing, 770-655-3315 (C), cjmadrid@yahoo.com
North Fayette Elementary will have a Career Day on April 18, 2012 from 8:30 to 11:00. We need volunteers to share their professions with the students. It can be very brief; the goal is simply to give the students exposure to new careers and help them make the connection between current learning and future success.
Please take advantage of this great opportunity to help educate our future professionals.
If you are interested in presenting, please contact Heather Sherwood, School Counselor, or Nicole Douglas, Counseling Intern by April 11, 2012 at (770) 460-3570.
http://nfeschoolcounselor.webs.com/
Thank you for your continued support.
