Morgan Community College (MCC) Burlington Center hosted an inspiring Girls ONLY! event on November 5, 2024, bringing together 56 high school girls from seven high schools across the region. Participating schools included Stratton High School, Agate High School, Wray High School, Bethune High School, Liberty High School, Burlington High School, and Hi-Plains High School. The day provided opportunities for the students to explore new career opportunities, develop leadership skills, and gain confidence in their ability to succeed.
Participants engaged in five interactive sessions during the event, centered around STEM skills and careers in STEM. Activities included hands-on soldering to create jewelry, exploring virtual environments through a VR experience, a scavenger hunt, and a group challenge where students designed and raced steam-powered cars.
The event’s keynote speaker, Lanie Ridder, Chief Principal and Owner of Vince’s GM Center, shared her personal and professional journey of education, entrepreneurship, and leadership in a male-dominated field. Ridder encouraged attendees to think big, learn from life lessons, and pursue their ambitions without limits.
“We are incredibly inspired by the interests and growth of these young women,” said MCC Director of Regional Community Outreach, Holly Haman-Marcum. “We are grateful to our sponsors, partner schools, and colleagues for making this such a rich and successful event for this upcoming generation. An awe-inspired gratitude goes out to Lanie Ridder for sharing her journey with us.”
In addition to Ridder’s keynote, the event featured presentations by two local Nurse Practitioners from Health Essentials, Caitlyn Griffin and Sue Dorman, who spoke about their careers in healthcare, the importance of community health, and the value of pursuing a profession that makes a difference. They provided a hands-on activity using various items to impair vision and dexterity, simulating the challenges faced by individuals experiencing the aging process or physical impairments. The goal was to foster empathy and insight into the importance of patient care, helping participants develop a deeper understanding of the challenges involved when caring for someone with these impairments.
Prior to the event, participants were encouraged to identify, interview, and write an essay about a local Woman of Impact and Leadership in their community. This activity not only honed their writing skills but also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing students to engage with inspiring leaders and gain insights into their career paths and experiences.
The winning essay was submitted by LeAnn Tanner, a Hi-Plains High School student, who identified Giget Brubacher, Superintendent of Hi-Plains School District, as the Woman of Impact and Leadership in her community. Tanner’s essay reflected on several key lessons learned from her interview with Mrs. Brubacher: she recognized that plans often don’t go as expected and the importance of adapting and going with the flow; she highlighted the value of hard work and taking pride in one’s work, emphasizing how these qualities lead to success; she discussed the importance of showing up and doing the work, even when it’s not enjoyable; and finally, she learned that if you’re always the smartest person in the room, you’re not challenging yourself enough. Leann expressed her excitement to apply these lessons to her future career and life, confident that they will guide her, no matter the path she chooses. Tanner received a Chromebook and MCC swag and was honored during the event for her thoughtful and inspiring writing.
The success of Girls ONLY! was made possible through the generous support of several local sponsors, including Vince’s GM Center, Stratton Coop and Health Essentials, C & C Auto Body and Shaman Shoppe, MainStreet Smokehouse, and Beckfurd Creative. A special thank you goes to the staff of the MCC Burlington and Wray Centers, as well as the Advising, Instruction, STEM, and Marketing Departments, whose dedication and hard work were instrumental in making this event a success.
The event highlighted the strength of community partnerships and the importance of encouraging the next generation of women leaders. Individuals or local business partners interested in empowering young women in the Burlington community through sponsorship or participation can contact MCC Director Holly Haman-Marcum at 719-346-9300 or by emailing [email protected].
About Morgan Community College
Morgan Community College (MCC), established in 1970, serves the northeastern Colorado region and beyond. The college is recognized for its outstanding faculty and staff, dedication to student success, personalized attention, small class sizes, and accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. MCC offers more than 80-degree programs, including three bachelor’s degrees, as well as various certificates.
About Girls ONLY!
Girls ONLY! is an initiative focusing on empowering young girls by offering mentorship, skill-building workshops, and inspirational sessions. The initiative was created and promoted by Northeast Colorado Manufacturing (NECOM) an organization formed in 2017 as a result of Governor Hickenlooper’s state Economic Development plan called the Colorado Blueprint. Learn more about NECOM.
