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On February 10, 2011, four students from R.G. Drage Technical Center, located in Massillon, shared their bakery and pastry talents with state legislators at the Ohio Statehouse. The students, alongside representatives from nearly 30 other schools, presented their talents during the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education’s 2011 Career & Technical Education Student Showcase for Legislators.

Under the direction of Dennis Finley, R.G. Drage’s ProStart educator, the four students provided a PowerPoint presentation of the management presentation they utilized at this year’s Ohio ProStart® Invitational. The students who participated in the showcase were: Whitney Lumley, Cristina Safran, Kary Spooner and Shawna Workman. They operated a popcorn stand and showed off their culinary talents with cupcakes that they had prepared prior to the event. Many

state legislators and their aides stopped by the R.G. Drage booth to ask questions about the program and to enjoy the culinary delights the students had prepared.

“The bakery and pastry program at R.G. Drage utilizes the ProStart curriculum and hands-on food science projects as the foundation to teach Stark County area students about the highly diversified food manufacturing industry throughout the state of Ohio,” Finley said. “Despite recent years’ economic downturn, food manufacturing businesses in Stark and surrounding counties have not only survived, but they have thrived and continue to expand. Most importantly, the program offers students access to a statewide support network of employers willing to employ ProStart students after they have successfully completed the program.”

Steve Buehrer was sworn in as Administrator/CEO of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) on January 10, 2011. He vowed to an audience of BWC staff, business leaders, labor representatives and representatives of Ohio’s workers’ compensation system that their input will be expected and important in making workers’ compensation a complement to Ohio’s overall business climate.

“Your voice will be heard,” Buehrer said at his swearing-in ceremony. “Change is not always easy, but it’s vital to our state’s future. We must put Ohio frst at this time. The door is open; we need your feedback.”

In his remarks, Buehrer also stressed the importance of service to the two customers of the bureau: injured workers and employers. He told BWC staff that they are pivotal in developing ways to better serve these customer groups.

Buehrer most recently represented Ohio’s 1st Senate District, a seat he held since 2007. There, he served as chairman of the Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee, focusing on key issues that impact Ohio’s economy, including business regulations, consumer protection and workers’ compensation law. Buehrer previously served four terms beginning in 1999 as the state representative for the 82nd Ohio House

District. In addition to practicing law, Buehrer possesses extensive experience in state government, including work in the offces of the late Congressman Paul Gillmor, and former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson. He also served as

Director of Legislative Affairs for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services; Deputy Director with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services; and was the BWC’s Chief of Human Resources from 1995 to 1998.

Students from the school’s bakery, pastry program shared their talents at the Ohio Statehouse in February

News Bites

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Kim Browne administered the oath of offce to Ohio BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer as his wife, Cathy, held the Bible.

Ohio ProStart ® students from R.G. Drage presented their talents and skills at the 2011 Ohio ACTE Career & Technical Education Showcase for Legislators.