From left are Jon Esenwein, Jocelyn Courtney, Alex VanKirk and Emmanuel Marschke.

PIERCETON — A local biomedical company hosted a hiring announcement event that almost had an athletic feel on Wednesday, June 12.

In what was called a Signing Day Event, Paragon Medical in Pierceton celebrated the recent hiring of four students fresh off their high school graduation ceremonies.

From left are Jennifer Manes and Kyle Mundell.

Jon Essenwein of Wawasee High School, Alex VanKirk of Warsaw Community High School, Jocelyn Courtney of Whitko High School and Emmanuel Marschke from Basic Christian Education Academy sat behind a table like high school athletes ceremoniously signing a letter of intent to participate in sports at a college or university.

“I guess for me it all started over the last fall, I read an article about a company out of Virginia that did a similar event,” said Jennifer Manes, Paragon’s corporate recruiter.

The event was held in Paragon’s Case & Tray Breakroom and was attended by family and friends of the four new hirees, as well as representatives from all three high schools.

“I am super excited for today,” said Plant Manager Kyle Mundell. “This is exciting for us as an organization to see these four young adults up here.”

Mundell said younger workers, and particularly workers coming straight from high school, battle disadvantages that other workers might not experience. “We have stigma around high school students entering the workforce,” he said, adding that while the nation’s unemployment rate is currently low, it’s doubly high for young workers just entering the job market. He said the four students have adjusted well to the company. “They’ve done a great job integrating into our culture,” he said.