GUEST COMMENTARY: Helping youths succeed is crucial for region

Having grown up in an inner city, I understand the challenges of trying to inspire “bigger thinking” among young people who lack understanding of the possibilities available to them.

Ed O'Connor

Ed O'Connor, consultant from Midwest Instructional Leadership Council, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Melvina Smith

Melvina Smith, science teacher and department chair, Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School, attended this year's Ready NWI Hobart High School.

Deborah Williams

Deborah Williams, guidance counselor, Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Cordia Moore

Cordia Moore, assistant to the superintendent, Gary Community School Corp., attended this year's ReadyNWI event at Hobart High School.

Kecia Anderson

Kecia Anderson, bio-literature teacher, NewTech Innovative Institute, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Peggy Buffington

Peggy Buffington, superintendent, Schools City of Hobart, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Esther Goodes

Esther Goodes, director/principal, NewTech Innovative Institute, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Onitta Anderson-Parker

Onitta Anderson-Parker, literacy coach, Lew Wallace STEM Academy, attended this year's ReadyNWI event at Hobart High School.

Carlos Sitja

Carlos Sitja, instructional coach at Wirt/Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Adrian Richie

Adrian Richie, Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith, counselor, Willowcreek Middle School, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Mary Cusic

Mary Cusic, teacher at Lowell High School attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Charlyne Balcer

Charlyne Balcer, math coach/teacher at Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School attended this year's ReadyNWI event at Hobart High School.

Rachel Niemann

Rachel Niemann, English teacher, Calumet NewTech High School, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.

Saundra Starling

Saundra Starling, language arts teacher and department chair, Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School, attended this year's Ready NWI event at Hobart High School.