5X at Geauga recently hosted three community events that brought students from Berkshire High School, community business owners and consumers, and senior citizens to the campus.
Berkshire students learn the dangers of driving while distracted
Juniors and seniors from Berkshire High School visited the campus for a distracted driving program. The program was presented by the Save-a-Life Tour, paid for by a grant written by Gina Symsek from Berkshire High School. The distracted driving program included huge tour posters on display, an empty casket and high-intensity videos rolling on huge monitors.
Presenters engaged the students following a video that showed the results of driving while distracted. Students drove in simulators that replicated their reactions when driving while texting or talking on their cell phones. The distracted driving program was part of the Prom Promise; a series of events geared towards educating the students about the dangers related to activities associated with prom: distracted driving, drinking and driving and taking unnecessary risks.
Geauga Consumer Connection
More than 60 local businesses set up displays throughout campus with samples and demonstrations of their wares as part of the Geauga Consumer Connection. Caterers and local restaurateurs offered taste tests of meatballs, chocolates, smoothies and more. Several of the businesses and the five sponsoring Geauga County Chambers of Commerce: Burton, Chagrin Valley, Chardon, Chesterland and Middlefield, raffled off gift baskets and prizes. Workshops were taught by experts in areas of technology for the home, college financing and dog training. The halls were filled with community members meeting local business people and learning about products and services available locally. The annual event is designed to promote local businesses and the idea to shop locally.
Learning for a Lifetime
More than 100 senior citizens, 55 years and older, attended the “Learning for a Lifetime” event at the campus. The event was hosted for the fifth consecutive year by the Geauga County Department of Aging, University Hospitals' Geauga Campus and Kent State Geauga. This year's classes, taught by Kent State faculty and administrators, as well as by community experts, were offered in a variety of disciplines, including: Yoga for Anyone, Healthy Water, Aging Well, Traveling Tips, Royalty Misbehaving Badly and Fracking. Light snacks and coffee were available during student check-in, and a boxed lunch was provided by University Hospitals Geauga during the break between the morning and afternoon class sessions.
By hosting these events, Kent State Geauga is fulfilling its mission to serve as the educational, business and cultural center of its community.
For more information about Kent State Geauga, visit .