LAKEPORT, Calif. – Students gathered at Mendocino College's Lake Center campus in Lakeport on Saturday, Feb. 22, to explore their future as part of the “My Future, My Way” workshop.

More than 90 students from Lake and Mendocino counties attended the free workshop that was made possible by a partnership between Mendocino College and the Lake County Office of Education with additional funds provided by a grant from the Air Force Association.

Students in grades seventh through 12th from both counties were invited to attend a variety of workshops that included career exploration, financial literacy and employment, among others.

Career sessions were taught by college and county instructors including criminal justice by Rod Mitchell, chemistry by Jordan Anderson, music technology by Rodney Grisanti, business by Steve Hixenbaugh, culinary by Nicholas Petti and health occupations by Diedra Lagle.

In each career session students learned about the industry, career and educational opportunities and participated in hands on activities.

Some activities include a lesson in gastronomy as culinary students created soda pop caviar and the making of “graphite” from sugar.

In addition to the career sessions, students rotated through a variety of other workshops.

Jamey Gill and Kim Bradley from the Mendo Lake Credit Union presented on financial literacy and scholarship opportunities.  

Sherry Daly and Jessica Calvillo-Solis from WorkforceLake shared tips on how to look for employment and interview etiquette.  

Previous high school graduates now college students, participated in a panel discussion and shared their experiences.  

Students included community college students Laura Pankratz, Kevin Leal and Waverly Cooke; California State University students Falin Cheng and Anna Duran; as well as UC Berkley student Jacob Gill.

Each student also rotated through a session called “Health Body, Healthy Mind.”

Selections from this session included military fitness with the Marines lead by Sgt Atkinson, yoga with Nancy Rhoades and Zumba with Bonny Parrott.

The physical activity component was implemented for several reasons. Among those reasons were to encourage students to think about their future health for a productive future as well as to support the Move More 2014 outreach.

Community health educator Jessica Windrem shared information on the Move More 2014 with students at lunch.

Students also received information on the availability of concurrent enrollment, which informed them that once a student passes the eighth grade they are eligible to start taking community college classes and that the units are free of charge.

Sharon Maher of Marymount California University came at lunch to share her information regarding the four-year college opportunity coming to Lake County.

The day-long activity ended with a raffle prize drawing including a variety of college spirit items and gift cards.

For more information on this workshop or other career and college exploration workshops, please contact Tammy Serpa with the Lake County Office of Education Career and College Readiness Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-994-9001.