August 1, 2019

From middle school to higher education, the FirstEnergy Foundation enthusiastically supports scholastic endeavors throughout our service area. Here’s a look at two recent events.

Starting the Year off Right

The FirstEnergy Foundation recently partnered with the Cleveland Council of Black Colleges Alumni Association to sponsor the 7th Annual FirstEnergy Destination HBCU: Student Send-Off held at the Cleveland Metroparks. As this year’s primary sponsor, we hosted a table with information about FirstEnergy and recruiting for internship and co-op positions.

The send-off is designed for Cleveland-area, college-bound freshmen students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) entering in the fall of 2019. Approximately 250 people were in attendance, including students, alumni, families, community members and HBCU representatives. This year, 123 students received trunks filled with college dorm necessities and school supplies.

Torey Tolson, analyst, Community Involvement, and Deborale Richardson-Phillips, former FirstEnergy Diversity and Inclusion lead, served as committee members and worked with Ted McQuain, HR representative, Recruiting, for giveaway items and employment information for the FirstEnergy table. MoSAIC (Employee Business Resource Group) members volunteered at the event.

“It’s an honor be part of a long-standing educational commitment that recognizes the academic excellence and identifies development afforded by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. FirstEnergy welcomes an opportunity to serve as part of a village that supports northeast Ohio students,” said Lorna Wisham, vice president, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement.

“This relationship uniquely positions FirstEnergy as a company that supports the community and is committed to developing diverse talent. Our hope is these bright students return home and find a sense of belonging at FirstEnergy.”

Attendees take time out of a fun day for a group photo.

A Green Thumb’s Up!

Students at Lake Rivera Middle School (LRMS) in Ocean County, N.J., are working on sustainability the old-fashioned way – by using soil, water and sun. The students recently had the opportunity to create and build a greenhouse where they will gain hands-on experience on the importance of natural resources and the need for clean soil and water to help plants grow.

In planning the project, the students developed a proposal that included a greenhouse kit, which Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) purchased for $1,099. The greenhouse will be used to grow food for the home economics class as well as other energy conservation projects.

The students will work together in the greenhouse to prepare the soil, plant seeds, care for the seedlings and eventually relocate the seedlings to the LRMS Aquaponics System. The system combines aquaculture (raising tilapia) and hydroponics (the soilless growing of plants) in one integrated process.

The project outline is ready to go.

With students are: John Meehan, consultant, Regional External Affairs, JCP&L (far l.); Pamela Cooper, LRMS teacher (third from r.); Gary Paxton, LRMS teacher (second from r.); and Cliff Cole, senior Communications representative, JCP&L (far r.).