SOAR into STEM is a free five- session learning experience that provides students with project-based learning, connections to STEM curriculum, and a front-row seat into the workings of a global aviation nonprofit using airplanes to change and save lives. High school students from Crosspoint Christian School, Hermann High School, New Haven High School, Pacific High School, St. Clair High School, St. Francis Borgia High School, Sullivan High School, Union High School Warrenton High School, Washington High School and Wright City High School can participate.
Students will expand their knowledge of flight, mechanics, and navigation as well as explore aviation career paths and focusing on humanitarian aviation. During each session students will engage with introductory curriculum, guest speakers, career mentorship, and hands-on learning activities that conclude with a flight with a Certified Flight Instructor. The program will provide the foundation for advanced exploration of humanitarian aviation in the areas of flying, aerospace engineering, and unmanned aircraft systems. The Chamber is proud to partner with the School District of Washington, Wings of Hope, the City of Washington, and Downtown Washington, Inc. to bring this amazing program to local students. A message from Katelyn Huber... This school year I am teaching CAPS Global Business at Four Rivers Career Center. My students, made up of juniors and seniors, are looking for client-connected projects that they can sink their teeth into! CCPs give these students real-world experience and help prepare them for life after high school and college. A client-connected project could be a number of things like event planning, fundraising coordination, creation of marketing materials, podcasting, financial analysis, data entry, logistics coordination and more. If you have a project that keeps being put at the bottom of your list because there isn't enough time in the day, please reach out to me via email. If you don't have a project, but are interested in mentoring an aspiring business leader, please reach out as well. I would love to set every student up with a business mentor!
We encourage you to wear BLUE every Friday this school year to support our Washington community! #BlueFridayWashMO
The School District of Washington and St. Francis Borgia High School are committed to providing exceptional learning experiences for students at all levels. Through "Blue Friday”, we hope to create a strong sense of community and encourage positive school spirit that resonates throughout the community.
This initiative embodies the idea that education is a collaborative endeavor where students, teachers, parents, and the wider community all play essential roles. By wearing blue every Friday, we show our young learners that we are steadfast in our support for their aspirations, achievements, and dreams regardless of the institution they attend. Mayor Doug Hagedorn expressed enthusiasm for the "Blue Friday" initiative, stating, “I wholly support this wonderful initiative that aims to unite Washington in supporting local students and schools, fostering a strong sense of pride and commitment to both parochial and public education and sends a powerful message of solidarity and support for the young minds in our community. By doing so, we are expressing our unwavering dedication to the success of students in both their academic and extracurricular pursuits.” Parents, teachers, and community members can help spread the word about "Blue Friday" through social media using the hashtag #BlueFridayWashMO, sharing stories of how education has impacted their lives, and photos of themselves donning blue attire each Friday. We invite all members of the community to join us in making "Blue Friday" a resounding success. Together, let us celebrate and uplift our Washington students, demonstrating that we stand behind them every step of the way. All but a few raindrops stayed away and we enjoyed a great day at Wolf Hollow Golf Club with 27 teams on Friday, May 12! Thank you to our golfers and volunteers for supporting the event, to Grey Eagle Distributors and Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of New Haven for donating raffle prizes, and to Hoffmann-Hillermann Nursery & Florist and National Fire Suppression for providing the attendance prizes. Flight 1 1st place: Sam Unnerstall, Ben Hotz, Brad Carpenter, Jake Brandt (Bank of Washington) 2nd place: Derek Schriewer, Scott Sullivan, David Schriewer, Rick Marquart (Janie Schriewer & Associates) 3rd place: Jordan Faerber, Blake Kluesner, Brady Schwarts, Spencer Nothum (GenFinity Wealth Management) Flight 2 1st Place: Mike See, Jason Fitzgerald, Kelly Kureger, Chad Carter (Pepsi) 2nd Place: Dylan Brocato, Jake Jinkerson, Casey Harting, Missy Maune (First State Community Bank) 3rd Place: Luke Meyer, Kyle Wolfe, Dave Engelbrecht, Donna Klott (Citizens Bank) Skins Tournament Winner Jordan Faerber, Blake Kluesner, Brady Schwarts, Spencer Nothum (GenFinity Wealth Management) Closest to the Pin Winners Joe Ballmann Becky Buhr John McCormack Cathy Roberson Thanks again to our sponsors!
We have a few new opportunities for members, as well as some that we haven’t mentioned in a while, so I wanted to put them all together in one spot for you, and include timelines so you don’t accidentally miss something Video Series Interviews![]() We will be working with students from the CAPS Program at Four Rivers Career Center to develop video interviews with our members about the impact of the Chamber in their business, and in the community as a whole. Other videos will focus on educating the community on the Chamber's purpose, history, and outlook. This is a great way to feature your business as well as your involvement in the Chamber! We will post these to our Facebook and YouTube accounts and tag you on Facebook. Timeline: Work will begin on these projects later this month, so we appreciate your response by Feb. 20! To participate, please complete the appropriate form: |
Timeline: Ongoing. Music at the Market commitment due by April 1. To Participate: Complete this form! | Timeline: Ongoing. Pub Crawl commitment due by February 13. To Participate: Complete this form! |
NEW EVENT: Business Resource Fair - May 9
The event is being organized by the CAPS students, in partnership with the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Washington, and Downtown Washington, Inc.
The Business Resource Fair will feature an exhibit space to showcase resources for current and prospective business owners, as well as break-out sessions with presentations and workshops.
*A Business Resource Guide will be created featuring participants and will be published on the Chamber website.
Additional details will be published when available, and CAPS students will follow up with interested exhibitors and presenters.
Timeline: First Come, First Served. Deadline to Register April 15.
To Participate: Sign Up Here!
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Cost for each event is $20 and includes lunch.
Special Thanks to our Education Series sponsors: Bank of Franklin County and Bank of Washington. Click Here for a printable schedule for 2023.
The series kicks off with "Delegate Like a Boss," presented by Erin Joy, on January 24. For more details on the January event, view this flyer.
- January 12 - Business Breakfast Meeting
- January 24 - Education Series
- January 30 - 100th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting
- February 24 - Government Forum
- February 28 - Education Series
- March 25 - Annual Banquet
- March 28 - Education Series
- April 25 - Education Series
- May 11 - Music at the Market
- May 12 - Golf Tourney
- May 23 - Education Series
- June 1 - Summer Mixer
- June 8 - Music at the Market
- June 27 - Education Series
- June 23 - Cajun Festival
- July 13 - Music at the Market
- August 18 - OYP Nominations Due!
- August 22 - Education Series
- September 14 - Music at the Market
- September 26 - Education Series
- October 2 - Member Luncheon
- October 12 - Music at the Market
- October 24 - Education Series
- October 28 - Pumpkin Palooza
- November 26 - Olde Fashioned Christmas
- December 14 - Winter Mixer
"Shelley will make a wonderful addition to our board," said Chamber President, Jennifer Giesike. "She embodies the volunteerism that our area is known for and brings many years of business experience." Board members typically serve two, 3-year terms on the board, although if selected by fellow directors to the Executive Board, additional years can be served. Vollmer replaces Paul Brune, (MFA, Inc.), whose term ended on December 31, 2022.
Shelley Vollmer is a lifelong Washington resident who for the past 23 years has been the owner of Wimpy's Sandwich Shop on Jefferson Street.
Shelley is a graduate of Washington High School, East Central College, and Missouri Baptist University. For the past 10 years, she has been on the Board of Public Water District #1 and she is active in the day to day operation of American Legion Post 218, serving as bookkeeper. She has been responsible for the management of the Main Lunchstand at the Washington Town & Country Fair for the past 2 years and serves on the planning committee for the annual GoFund Charity Golf Classic. Shelley has two sons, Colton and Connor, with her late husband, Joe. In their free time, they enjoy all outdoor activities, especially camping and vacationing.
Vollmer will join 15 others on the 2023 Board of Directors.
Executive Board
- Jay Nowak (Bank of Washington) – Chairman
- Steve Strubberg (Horn Architects) – 1st Vice Chair
- Tanya McCormack (Washington Hearing Center) - 2nd Vice Chair
- Luke Meyer (Citizens Bank )
- Karen Timpe (Empac Group, Inc.)
- Andy Robinson – Ex-Officio
Board of Directors
- Josh Brinker (Bank of Franklin County)
- Joyce Couch (Past Fair Chairman)
- Becky Cox (Four Rivers Family YMCA)
- Don Grahl (The Creek Grill & Sports Bar)
- Scott Hillermann (Hoffmann-Hillermann Nursery & Florist)
- Joe Maniaci (Empac Group, Inc.)
- Scott Mentz (Mentz Foundations)
- Tricia Piontek (The Magnet Group)
- Kevin Richardson (Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson, P.C.)
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