On Monday, March 2, the three PennWest campuses hosted a joint event entitled The Power of Pennwest: Educators Rising Together.

Planned by education faculty, university staff, and Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA) officers at each campus, the day consisted of several engaging events for high school freshmen through seniors from the surrounding areas.

The California campus hosted about 40 students from Trinity, Bentworth, and Burgettstown High Schools. There were also about 100 students at Clarion from area schools, as well as around 40 students on the Edinboro campus. 

At PennWest Cal, the day started with words from University President Dr. Jon Anderson, who gave his regards virtually, SPSEA President Kayla Bish, SPSEA Vice President Abi Timco, Dr. Sheleta Camarda-Webb, Associate Vice President of CORE Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. Susan Morris-Rutlege, an education professor. 

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After the opening remarks, education professor Dr. Michelle Torregano led the students and their accompanying faculty in the Doggyland Affirmations Song, an upbeat, kid-friendly, and positive song by the legendary Snoop Dogg, which was very well received and appreciated by the students. 

After the ice breaker dance, students were taken in groups around PennWest California by campus tour guides Connor Vickers and Brock Young, and converged with their teachers and PennWest faculty and students in the Gold Rush Dining Hall for lunch. 

For many of the younger students, this was their first experience on a college campus, so they enjoyed the tours and exploring and eating in the buffet-style dining hall.

After lunch, the students were split into three breakout sessions. Students went to a self portrait drawing activity with education professor Dr. Michelle Torregano; a hands-on activity session with Dr. Clover Wright; and a student panel with Early Childhood and Elementary Education majors: juniors Kayla Bish, Abi Timco, and Laura Mildren (Special Education Dual Major), and sophomores Bella Longmore and Evelyn Esek. 

The closing remarks were planned to be Dr. Michael Perrotti, Education Department Chair, and Dr. Bob Mehalik, Associate Provost, though time constraints for the high schools did not allow their speeches to be heard in full. 

Most of the high school students were considering careers in the field of education, while a select few mentioned majors like business and veterinary technology. The general feedback from students was positive, with interest in making the conference an annual event.Â