You Can Accept Your Fate or You Can Innovate | March 8-12, 2021
We opened our annual high school Innovation Week this year with a funeral service for all the beloved companies that started strong, but failed to innovate when markets changed and technology evolved. A somber scene of a large floral spray, an antique golden framed photo set on a standing easel, and a beautiful keepsake urn set the stage for the creatively dramatic themed event.
“There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.”
- Brene Brown
Our scholars met for conference style sessions with guest speakers daily to learn cognitive flexibility, be inspired by industry leaders and inventors, and be challenged to think out of the box. High School scholars were able to glean wisdom from a well-rounded group of leaders in industries like livestream production, food sustainability, and environmental science, culinary, entrepreneurship, entertainment. Along with being inspired by keynote speakers, representatives from local colleges and universities were on site to talk about further education and unique and lucrative trade opportunities. The keynote speakers shared their experiences finding their career paths and what brought them to where they are now, but there were a few principles that were emphasized this week:
Bring your whole self to the job. Know your purpose and bring it to the table. You're much easier to recommend when you do good work and are enjoyable to be around.
“You can accept your fate or you can innovate.”
- JC Salva
Scholars got a real world peak at how career paths diverge, soar, and pivot in times of success and uncertainty. It's who you are on the inside that determines where you go from there. Plus, we celebrated 4 high school seniors that were accepted to their schools of choice: University of Maine, Rollins College, and Seminole State College.
Special thanks to our keynote speakers and guests:
Orange Technical College, Flagler College, Stetson University, Full Sail University, Savannah College of Art & Design, Ken Bourgoin (Valencia College), Dr. Gordon Crozier, David Morillo, Sara Elliott (4Roots Farm Campus), Brock Moreau and Cole Schrimsher (SHOFLO), JC Salva, Jimmy Powell (Raggamuffin Surfboards), Cale Wetstein (AE Luminations), Alicia Braccia (Center for Health, Learning & Achievement), Jenelle Ferrer (Waypointe Realty), Megan Mingie (Noodle Partners), Don Lundberg (Bloem Living), and Kia Loggins (Extreme Youth Sports).