Pictured are N.E.W. Workshop leaders from a previous year. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

News Release

WARSAW — On Thursday, Oct. 10, 150 sophomore girls from Tippecanoe Valley High School and Warsaw Community High School will attend the Fall 2024 Nontraditional Employment for Women Workshop at the Warsaw Community High School TRAC, located at 1 Tiger Lane, Warsaw.

The N.E.W. Workshop is designed to introduce young women to a variety of nontraditional career paths, increase enrollment in nontraditional Career and Technical Education courses and promote awareness of innovative employment opportunities.

The day will begin with a keynote address from Officer Paige Wood of the Warsaw Police Department. Paige began her career in education, earning degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. She spent four years at Washington STEM Academy before bravely deciding to follow a lifelong dream of serving in law enforcement. Now a Police Officer, Paige is extensively trained and certified in various specialized fields, including child forensic interviewing, peer support coordination, field training, bike patrol, rescue diving and crisis intervention. Her early experiences in law enforcement, notably surviving a violent assault, led her to advocate for the mental health of first responders. This advocacy inspired her to help found Project Ebenezer, a nonprofit that provides mental health and wellness resources to first responders in the Kosciusko Community. Paige serves as the President of Project Ebenezer.

Following her inspiring talk, students will participate in roundtable discussions, choosing six occupations to explore in-depth. Presenters will provide valuable insights into education and training requirements, work environments, salary expectations and the unique benefits these careers offer women. Career fields showcased will include architecture, automotive, engineering, cybersecurity, law enforcement, oncology and more.

In the afternoon, hands-on “Try It” sessions will offer students the chance to experience various careers firsthand. Activities will span fields such as architecture, automotive work, fingerprinting and firefighting, providing a unique opportunity for engagement and exploration.

This event is proudly presented by the Warsaw Area Career Center, with generous support from:

• Platinum Level Sponsor: Performance Services
• Gold Level Sponsors: Warsaw Education Foundation, TranZstar
• Silver Level Sponsors: Orthoworx, Kiwanis, Warsaw Orthodontics, Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center, Wildman and The Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation
• Bronze Level Sponsors: Culligan of Warsaw, Havrilla and Nolin, LLC, EnPak, Paragon Medical, Polk Equipment and Vincennes University.

The N.E.W. Workshop presents an exciting opportunity for young women to expand their career horizons and explore fields they may not have previously considered. By exposing students to a diverse range of nontraditional occupations, this workshop aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.

Pictured is a N.E.W. Workshop from a previous year. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.