SUCCESS STORIES
Dave Allaman
Dave Allaman, a community service officer for Cuyahoga Falls Police
Department (CFPD) has been an Exploring advisor for approximately three years. As a
teen, Allaman was an Explorer with CFPD and says the experience influenced his decision to
pursue law enforcement as a career.
"Exploring allows kids to see what it's
really like working in a chose occupation," he says. Explorers with
CFPD learn how to operate radio equipment, collect fingerprints and other important
skills. After receiving basic training, Explorers have the opportunity to accompany
officers on routine calls. They also may assist in providing security at various
community events.
Allaman says the best part of his involvement
with Exploring is helping teens shape their future. "Many forme
Explorers have found jobs in the field of law enforcement."
Matt Roosa
Matt Roosa is the head advisor for the
Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department (MSFD), where he participated in Exploring as a
teen. A full-time firemedic since 1996, Roosa began volunteering as an advisor in
1997.
Roosa says he enjoys working with youth and
helping to prepare them for a rewarding career in firemedics. "Exploring
benefits teens by giving them something to do and by heping them to make decisions about
their future."
Ranging in age from 14 to 18 years, Explorers
with MSFD attend training sessions a minimum of once per month. The sessions are
designed to teach them how to react in a fire-related incident and to gain an overall
working knowledge of how the fire department operates. Explorers will learn how to
handle various types of equipment including changing air tanks on the SCBA (self-contained
breathing apparatus) for the firefighters on duty, cleaning up debris after a fire and
reviving a victim using CPR.
After receiving training, Explorers are
permitted to assist firefighters at the scene of a fire. However, according to
Roosa, they are not actively involved in fire fighting and must operate under supervision
at all times.
Roosa points out that MSFD is an effective
training ground for future firefighters because Explorers receive the same basic training
as firefighters. "Exploring is a good program because it gives young
people options for career choices and the opportunity to learn responsibility and
teamwork."
Lee Sahadi
Lee
Sahadi, Director of Human Resources at Akron General Medical Center, is the Exploring
advisor for the medical careers post. Within her job, she is responsible for Nursing
Recruitment and Employment and has worked in the health care industry for the past 20
years.
She speaks enthusiastically about the program
offered at AGMC. "Nowhere else can students from various socio-economic
backgrounds gain hands-on experience in a wide variety of jobs within the health
care field. We allow them to explore careers in nursing, emergency treatment,
surgical care, rehabilitation and paramedics."
According to Sahadi, students also have the
opportunity to perform disaster drills along with members of the hospital staff. In
a disaster drill, Explorers act as patients in need of medical assistance while medical
personnel act to provide the appropriate care. This scenario enables Explorers to
witness how medical treatment is administered within a realistic setting.
She first became acquainted with Exploring as a
teen when she attended the dental explorer post. The exposure to the health care
field helped her to become skillful at working with patients and supported her overall
interest in the sciences. She was employed as a dental assistant while in college
and eventually changed her major from dental assisting to nursing.
"Getting involved with Exploring
is a great experience because of all the hands-on training. Where else can students
learn functional skills in many different areas and have a lot of fun at the same
time?"
Brooke Stamms
Brooke
Stamms works part-time as a firefighter/emergency medical technician and performs
administrative duites at the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department. A four-year
veteran to the Exploring program, she still attends meetings and also assists in the
training of new Explorers.
"I enjoyed being an Explorer
because of all the hands-on experience I gained. I also enjoyed meeting people with
the same interests." She highly recommends Exploring to teens. "It
teaches them a sense of responsibility and how to work well with others."
According to Brooke, the most
challenging part of her job is the ongoing training which is required for all firefighters
and emergency medical technicians. Currently, she is studying to become a paramedic.
After completing a nine-month course, she will take a national test in order to
receive her certification. In the future she is interested in potentially becoming a
Exploring advisor. Brooke says, "Exploring is a really great
program!"
Ronda Thayer
Ronda Thayer is employed by Goodyear Tire &
Rubber as a mechanical engineer. She participated in the exploring program in Walnut
Grove, California for 1 1/2 years. During that time, Ronda learned about chemistry and
physics while attending a post sponsored by Dow Chemical Corp.
Ronda remembers a group project in which the
class built an electronic accelerator, a device used to study atomic interactions. She
laughingly recalls, "We had spent weeks working on it, and the instructors
forgot to get a permit from the state, an oversight which prevented us from operating
it."
Other fun activities included pizza parties and
group outings. She recommends Exploring to anyone because it challenges teens, teaches
leadership skills and offers many exciting activities. Currenlty, Ronda is the Service
Team Chairperson for Exploring in the Akron area.
Paul and Karen Verbanick
Advisors Paul and Karen
Verbanick host the Aqua Marine Explorer Post in cooperation with Bob Zimmerman. For
a reduced fee, Explorers have the opportunity to become certified scuba divers in five
weeks. Explorers will spend the first four weeks with an instructor learning the
basics using a text book and video. During the final week, they are asked to
demonstrate how to use the scuba gear in the water. According to Paul, students are
also required to give three hours of community service in order to facilitate a sense of
commitment and responsibility.
The Verbanicks own and operate Aqua Marine
Scuba Diving, Inc., a scuba gear shop and teaching facility located in downtown
Doylestown. They have voluneteered as advisors for two years. Paul became
interested in scuba diving after snorkeling in the Bahamas in 1993. Karen decided to
give it a try after she met Paul. Once the couple married, they decided to open a
scuba diving shop.
Paul says he enjoys teaching scuba diving
because it challenges students and helps them to build self-confidence. He also
stresses the importance of diving with a partner for safety reasons.
"Teamwork is the key to diving safely and having fun."
The staff at Aqua Marine is patient and
determined to help each student learn how to dive. "If someone wants
to learn but is apprehensive, we won't give up until they become a certified diver,"
says Paul.
Stephanie Vezzani - Stow Police Post 2048
While in college, Stephanie joined the Stow Police Post as an Explorer in 1996. During her
several years as an Explorer, she gained hands - on experience and training for the law
enforcement profession. While on a field trip with the Stow Police Post to the Federal
Building and U.S. Protective Services she received information about a job opening.
Stephanie submitted her resume and transcripts and interviewed for the position. She
started one month later. As a co-op Federal Police Officer, Stephanie will be attending a
12 week training session in Georgia. Stephanie was so impressed with her Exploring
experience that she now acts as an advisor to the Stow Police Post.
Thanks to Laurie Jendrisak for her contribution of the success stories.
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