Students Compete to Win in Business Olympics
More than 150 seniors from 22 high schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio had the chance to demonstrate their skills in business, computers, communications and more at this year°s Business Olympics, presented by Erie Business Center. The event was held in early April on the Erie campus of EBC at 246 West Ninth Street. Students had the chance to compete in one of 10 different competitions.

First place winners received scholarships of more than $4,500 each to attend Erie Business Center this fall. Other prizes included an IBM ThinkPad, Internet service for a year, a digital camera, a Palm Pilot, MP3 music recorder, walkie-talkies and graduation gift packages. Many other prizes were donated by local businesses to help make it a fun and exciting day for the students.

First place winners in the 10 categories were as follows: Alexis Lopez, Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School, Accounting; Dan Sheridan, Harbor Creek Senior High School, Business Math; Jeff Chiaramonte, Ft. LeBoeuf High School, Word Processing; Jakub Werk, Crawford County Vocational-Technical School, Power Point Presentation; Jenn Sypin, Central High School, Excel Spreadsheet; Eric Mooney, Erie County Technical School, Programming Languages; Melanie Blais, Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Keyboarding; Tristan Carlson, McDowell Senior High School, Geography; Rose Kerr, Iroquois Senior High School, Communication Skills, and Matt Beidler, Ft. LeBoeuf High School, Public Speaking. Taking the MVP Award for Top-Performing High School was Ft. Le Boeuf High School.

Just a few of the award winners at this year°s Business Olympics.

EBC Bayhawks Capture 2004 South Division Championship
The EBC Bayhawks have won the 2004 Adult Flag Football League Championship at Family First Sports Park. The Bayhawks finished the season with a record of 11 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie. The team won the first game of the playoffs against S & S Sports with a double overtime victory and then went on to win the semi-final game with a win by 14 points over West Ridge Saloon. In the final playoff game against the Broncos, the Bayhawks scored on the last play of the game to take the league championship by one point, with a score of 19 to 18. Congratulations to the team on a great season!

Members and their playing positions were as follows:

Medical Program Students Learn about Grief, Loss and Adjustment
Earlier this spring, students in EBC's Clinical Procedures I class heard a presentation by Steve Rosendahl, chaplain for Great Lakes Hospice. Steve and his coworkers provide support and care to terminally ill patients and their families. The organization also offers a bereavement program for people trying to cope with the loss of loved ones. When a person is grieving a loss, Steve says, he or she experiences many triggers or reminders that "this really has happened." The students were given the perspectives that grief has no timeline and that everyone is unique when it comes to accepting the reality of a loss. Steve emphasized that it can be helpful to view death as a passage rather than an ending. He also offered advice about what to say to someone who has just experienced the death of a loved one. "Offer your sympathy," he says. "Give them a hug, listen and ask how you can help."




Steve Rosendahl, chaplain for Great Lakes Hospice, speaks to EBC medical program students.

Students Tune In To Technology At Expo
EBC students recently took advantage of the Student Tech Expo, sponsored by the Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania. This full-day event, held in mid-March, was a great opportunity for students to explore cutting-edge innovations and efforts involving the use of technology in today's workforce. More than 25 area employers were on hand to discuss the role of technology in their organizations. Students enrolled in all EBC programs were encouraged to attend to practice their networking skills and learn more about what local employers have to offer. Visitors to the Erie Business Center booth that day were entered into a drawing to win one of three really cool prizes. Congratulations to Chet Malinski, winner of a USB Pen Drive; Andrew Faulkner, winner of a 25-pack of data CD-R disks, and Rosheena Barnes, winner of a wireless audio link (MP3 accessory).



With bags of giveaway items and information as proof, EBC students Dave Canter (left) and Jon Boyer (right) took full advantage of the Student Expo. Brian Kruszewski, head of EBCÌs computer department, was among those who staffed the EBC booth.









On hand to meet students, answer questions and distribute information about EBC were (from left) EBC Ambassador Adam Suroviec, career services director Trish Staszewski and computer department head Brian Kruszewski.

EBC Rolls Up Its Sleeves For Community Bloodmobile
EBC Department Heads accepted the challenge to be 'the' department with the 'most' spirited contributors during the EBC/Community Blood Bank Drive. The Community Blood Bank Bloodmobile was stationed in the EBC parking lot from 8:30 a.m. until late afternoon Thursday, March 18. The turnout for the challenge was significant with two departments outpacing the others in most pints collected. Both the Medical and Travel departments tied for the most student contributors. EBC acknowledged all contributors for their community spirit with individual gifts. Special awards were given to student contributors in the Medical and Travel departments.

Travel & Tourism Students Hear Plan For Promoting Erie

Earlier this year, Erie Business Center Travel and Tourism students joined more than 200 local business people and government officials at a luncheon meeting of the Erie Rotary Club at the Avalon Hotel. A presentation by the Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau outlined plans focusing on the Erie region as a tourist destination. The agencyÌs new five-year strategic plan includes ideas to develop travel packages tailored to the motor coach industry and also to develop the increasingly popular areas of heritage tourism and eco-tourism. Attending the luncheon with EBC Academic Director Rose Mello were Sharon Chojnacki, Samantha Gregory, Sharon Verno, James Dalbora, Beverly Jones, Fatihah Muhammad, Vicky Kaltenbach, Nicole Dorman, Kasia Otulakowska, Genevieve McGraw, Chet Malinski, Leah Wisinski, Katie Albers, Danielle Shaner and Sarah Hoffman.