The St. Paul School in Covington offered a full-day life skills workshop for seniors sponsored by the school’s Renaissance Board, a business/education partnership started in 2000 by Brother Gale Condit, FSC.

While coursework is valuable and normal educational criteria need to be met, Condit felt there more was needed to prepare students for the rigors of the real world.

The opening session featured two speakers: Irma Cry, business development liaison for St. Tammany Parish; and Brenda Reine-Bertus, executive director of the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation. The two presented a joint program highlighting the benefits and opportunities that await young graduates in the parish.

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Reine-Bertus asked the students, “When you graduate from here and complete your education or training in whatever profession you choose, how many of you plan to return to St. Tammany and make your home here?” Three students raised their hands. She then replied to the group, “Well, I’m here to change your mind.”

Corporations and companies moving to St. Tammany were showcased as well as the career opportunities already available. One particular building, Chevron, was applauded as the first “Leaf certified” building in the parish. The presentation concluded with the plans for the new University Square Learning Park that Reine-Bertus said should be completed in two years.

The top two employers, the St. Tammany Parish School Board and the healthcare industry employ about 12,000 people. In addition, Cry said that many of the 8,000 employees at Stennis Space Center live and work in the parish.

Five seminars were offered to help seniors cope once they graduate. Each student rotated through the concurrent sessions throughout the day.

A presentation by Dian Lusher, owner of Dynel, Inc., a communication company, included a walk-through of what one should do on a job interview. Look the interviewer in the eye and shake his or her hand, was the beginning. Lusher also included tips on dress, demeanor and how to write a resume. She also included suggestions on how to get the interviewer to talk about the job, what they looking for, and other information necessary in job-hunting.

Eric Dunavant, a certified financial planner with Legacy Wealth Strategies, explained compound interest, credit cards and the value of staying out of debt.

Investments and the value of starting early was presented by Sally Kingston, a financial advisor in a wealth management group at Merrill Lynch. She also included information on compound interest, but the emphasis was on how it can work for you.

Terry Fitzpatrick, senior advisor at the Center for Student Excellence for Southeastern Louisiana University, made a presentation based on time management and study skills, with emphasis on college. Focusing on such topics as where time is spent by the individual and the best way a student can plan their time, Fitzpatrick included suggestions on how to become a better planner.

She said that one should start studying the most difficult or boring subjects first, while one is still fresh, then move to something less complicated. The most difficult course requires the most creative energy, she said.

Other tips include study at the same time every day, make use of free hours during the school day, space study periods, use a regular study area and pick a place that isn’t so comfortable one can fall asleep.

A fifth seminar included cash management and how to set and live within a budget. Brad Schroeder, Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company vice president, covered topics such as how to read a bank statement, balance a checking account and create a budget. The budget should include things like life insurance, subscriptions, debts, toiletries, gas and oil, car payments, and taxes.

Often neglected topics like doctor and dental pays were also included.

The day for seniors included a catered lunch by Benedict’s Plantation and drawings for gas gift cards and video gift cards.

Not a day to skip regular class, students were required to fill out evaluations on each topic and answer questions about the value of the day as a whole, including what they learned during the seminars they did not know before and any topics that need to be included in the future.

The Renaissance Board, sponsor of the event, is comprised of business men and women in the area. Many do not have children at the school, but want to share their knowledge with the students.