Collaboration has long been a priority of our Chamber. Partnerships and cooperation among organizations both public and private are important to progress and on-going quality of life in any community. For the first time in our 18 year history of presenting an annual business EXPO, we are most pleased to be partnering with the St. Tammany Parish School Board this year, who will host this premier event on Thursday, June 21 at their newest facility, Lakeshore High School.
This partnership is not new. Chamber members know that K-12 education is the first step in building a future workforce. While we have communicated regularly on specific issues with School System leaders over the years, this is a first time formal co-sponsorship of our major business support annual event.
Fontainebleau High on Hwy. 59’s south side of I-12 had the largest student population of any school in the state, leading to the need for a new high school in St. Tammany West. In their wisdom, our school board selected a 60-acre location on Hwy. 1088 for Lakeshore High, where the property was reasonably priced, and where residential development was certain to follow on the north side of I-12.
Lakeshore just ended its third school year and graduated its first senior class this May. The graduating class had 157 students who earned more than 2.7 million dollars worth of scholarship money. By holding EXPO in June, business people can not only exhibit at or attend EXPO, but also have the opportunity to see the modern facility’s features. It is not like the high schools most of us remember, but offers incredible technology, a black box theater, professional dance studio, broadcast facility, and many more impressive amenities.
Attendees will have access to viewing the nearly 100 exhibits, networking, learning the latest in what’s available from local businesses, and registering for door prizes. Save the date of June 21!
When I moved to St. Tammany in 1999, one of our Chamber’s major goals was to advocate for construction of an interchange/exit at Hwy. 1088 and I-12. It took over ten years, but the interchange was complete in April of 2011. This is a perfect example of business and public leaders’ vision becoming reality. The convenience the interchange offers residents, and now students and teachers around Hwy. 1088 is greatly appreciated every day.
