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Student Leaders of Tomorrow Gain, Practice New Business Skills

Posted: 06/16/2004

Interns learn that the business day doesn’t always end when the office door shuts

HOUSTON, June 16, 2004-Pioneer Student Leadership Academy interns tonight traded
their shorts and T-shirts for business attire and filled a ballroom in Houston's Warwick
Hotel to put their business etiquette and dining skills to the test. The transformation
from intern to young executive throughout the room was testament to the skills the
interns are developing through daily workshops and peer interaction.

Donna Childs, a guest presenter and an engineer at Lockheed Martin, kicked off the
evening with a lively presentation on dressing for success and dining etiquette. The
interns then put that learning into practice over a three-course meal, with Donna, along
with the Academy staff, circulating as hosts. The interns will have further opportunity
to use their new skills over the next two weeks of the Academy, at student portfolio
presentations and an awards dinner.

Pioneer Leadership Academy interns are sponsored by representatives from industry,
education and the military, including the "Call Me Mister" program and MANRRS
(Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences). They range from
Early College High School Program (age 14) students through college graduates. In their
closing remarks, Alliance partners Phyllis Buchanan of DuPont and Jim Paige of NMUSA
both commented on how the evening program continued the Academy theme of
workforce readiness. Dr. Christine Johnston, President of Let Me Learn, Inc., and a guest
presenter at the Academy, donated ten gift certificates for the interns.

About the Pioneers in Education Alliance

The Pioneers in Education Alliance was formed to promote literacy in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics, increase diversity participation in these fields,
and promote awareness of and interest in nontraditional applications and career paths for
the sciences. Alliance partners include DuPont, NASA-SEMAA, NMUSA, and SECME,
Inc.

About the Pioneer Student Leadership Academy

The Pioneer Student Leadership Academy, an outgrowth of the Pioneers in Education
Alliance, runs concurrently each summer with the SECME Summer Institute, a nationally
acclaimed resident program for educators. Academy participants get hands-on experience
in managing all aspects of a conference; attend educational workshops; and are taught
and mentored by skilled professionals as they produce a daily conference newsletter,
conference videos, and other communications vehicles.

Press Information:

Nancy McKeithen
mckeithen@citlink.net
304-279-0228

Pioneers in Education

151 6th Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0270
(888) 262-8307
www.secme.org