Foothill students connect with company leaders for ‘speed interviews’

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DECA, PPIE sponsor career prep event with Google, Workday and more

DECA students planned the speed interview program in conjunction with Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE). From left to right: Tami Raaker (Foothill DECA advisor), Kylie Maeda, Trinity Chang, Brandon Ricci, Jacob Bolano, Pranav Dhar and Steve McCoy-Thompson (PPIE executive director). (Photo courtesy of Foothill DECA)

by Erika Alvero / Pleasanton Weekly

The program was hosted by the high school’s DECA program in conjunction with Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) as a way to help prepare students for their own careers.

“These students are so capable and positive — I honestly came away feeling very hopeful about our future,” said Stephen Hilton, board president of PPIE and a senior vice president at Robert Half International.

Students from Integrated Marketing Communications and the Economics of Business Ownership participated in the event on March 27. At the session, each student met with a volunteer for a 15-minute interview and presented a two-minute “pitch,” answered interview questions and received feedback.

Volunteers also shared with students about their own career paths and experiences.

“Our students were so excited by this opportunity and they took a lead role in making it happen — from preparing their own portfolios and LinkedIn profiles to ensuring the day went smoothly for our guests,” said Tami Raaker, a teacher and the DECA adviser at Foothill.

“It was really amazing to have this opportunity to interact with industry professionals and getting to hear about their career expertise and life experiences,” said Rithvik Sunku, the DECA club’s director of training. “As a high school student, experiences like this make me glad that I am in a career technical education class like Economics of Business Ownership.”

The speed interview session comes as PPIE has been increasing efforts to connect Pleasanton students with additional resources from the local business community, including through working with the Tri-Valley Regional Occupation Program and having company representatives virtually visit classrooms.

Foothill principal Sebastian Bull added that he hopes to expand the program next year at Foothill and with Amador Valley High.

“We’re excited about the future, and we look forward to working with business and education leaders to shape that future for our students,” said PPIE executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson.

The companies who participated in the session heralded from a wide array of fields: 1st United Credit Union, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s office, Deep Sentinel, Google, Huntington Learning Center, FIDM, Intel, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Mirador Capital Partners, Oracle, Robert Half International, Roche Molecular Diagnostics, StartUp Genius, Valley Humane Society, Wells Fargo and Workday.

Original Article: https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2018/04/09/foothill-students-connect-with-company-leaders-for-speed-interviews

PPIE Run for Education: More than just a morning stroll

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Community event raises big bucks for Pleasanton schools

by Dolores Fox Ciardelli / Pleasanton Weekly

The PPIE fun run/walk offers courses for residents of all skill levels. (Photo by Chuck Deckert)

Or stroll. Or just turn out for a great community event, hosted by the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education Foundation (PPIE) to benefit all 15 schools in the district, with more than 14,500 students.

“This amazing event draws over 3,000 people throughout the community to help raise funds for school staffing, technology and student support,” PPIE executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson said.

The run, the morning of April 15, features three flat courses, for serious runners and casual strollers alike — 5K, 10K and 15K. They each start and end at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. This year the 10K and 15K routes go through the new phase of Bernal Community Park.

“We are excited that the 10K and 15K routes will take advantage of the beautiful Oak Woodland trails within Bernal Community Park,” said PPIE board vice president Kelly French, who founded the race in 2012.

The 5K course will go under the Pleasanton Arch, through downtown, and back to the fairgrounds; the 15K will be the 5K followed by the 10K route. Plenty of aid stations and bathrooms will be along the courses.

“Lots of people don’t even run, they just get together and stroll,” McCoy-Thompson said. “They literally have strollers, and it’s a casual morning of fun.”

The event includes a quarter-mile Kids’ Challenge, with everyone receiving a T-shirt and medal for finishing.

“It’s super-cute, and people bring cameras,” McCoy-Thompson said.

Runners end up back at the fairgrounds for the Awards Ceremony and Expo, with vendors’ booths and activities for children.

“It’s like a mini fair for the Pleasanton community,” McCoy-Thompson said. “It’s really become this signature event. It’s the only run where the community can get together and raise money for all the Pleasanton schools — 100% of the funds go back to PPIE programs and school staff support.”

“We sincerely appreciate Veeva and ClubSport Pleasanton’s commitment both to this event and to quality education in Pleasanton,” events manager Tanya Ludden said, in addition to thanking sponsors Workday Foundation, Walker Family Trust and others listed at ppierun.com.

Sponsors are equally enthused about the race.

“Veeva is committed to giving back and playing an active role in the communities where our employees live and work,” Veeva Systems CEO Tim Cabral said. “We’re proud to continue our hometown sponsorship of the Pleasanton Run for Education to help enrich kids’ lives and support the health and education of local families.”

Ralph Rajs, senior vice president at Leisure Sports, parent company of ClubSport, noted that ClubSport has supported the Run for Education since its inception.

“We’re happy to be a legacy sponsor of this great, heart-healthy event for the community,” he said.

PPIE was founded 30 years ago, noted McCoy-Thompson.

“Up until 2008, it was relatively small, then when the economic crisis hit, the district asked PPIE to really step up and try to raise funds to lower class sizes,” he recalled. “PPIE did that and ever since then, we have tried to raise money for needed staff.”

“Overall our income has been going up,” he added. “This year we’re hoping to have our best year ever. Last year we netted, from the run itself, over $100,000.”

PPIE also has a gala in the fall at Castlewood Country Club. This year it will be held Oct. 12 with the theme, “Night of the Stars.”

Come to the fun run

What: Pleasanton Run for Education, with 5K, 10K, 15K runs plus a quarter-mile Kids’ Challenge
Who: Pleasanton Partnerships in Education
When: Sunday morning, April 15. Races begin at 7:50 a.m. Awards ceremony is at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds
Cost: $19-$65
Register: ppierun.com

Original Article: https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2018/04/05/ppie-run-for-education-more-than-just-a-morning-stroll