A column by Dena Wood

Waitsburg P.E.O. members agree that they've been holding a Career Day at Waitsburg High School every other year "for at least 30 years." On Tues., Nov. 26, I was privileged to attend and participate in this year's event, hosted by P.E.O. president and Waitsburg School Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke.

Dr. Clarke explained to WHS sophomore and junior girls that P.E.O. celebrates the advancement of women through scholarships, grants and recognition. The purpose of Career Day is to get young ladies thinking about what direction they might be moving toward in the future, and how to best prepare.

Curious about what the P.E.O. acronym stood for, I did a bit of research only to learn that the meaning was once a closely-guarded secret shared only with members. These days, P.E.O. "publicly" stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization, but, according to Wikipedia, the original meaning is still reserved for members only.

The focus of P.E.O. is to provide educational opportunities to young women. They do so through grants, loans, scholarship awards, and through programs like Career Day. The organization also owns and supports Cottey College, a women's liberal arts and sciences college in Nevada, Miss.

Cottey College is the only nonsectarian college in the United States owned and supported by women for women. I first learned of the college last year when Dayton graduate Kiara Biggar was awarded a $13,535 Cottey College Grant and a $4,500 Cottey College Founders Scholarship. P.E.O. members shared that several Waitsburg graduates have attended Cottey College as well.

At Tuesday's Career Day, Dr. Clarke introduced three speakers who shared a bit about their careers and the paths that led to where they are today.

Elizabeth Bourcier, viticulturist for Cayuse Vineyards, described the ups and downs of a career in the largely male-dominated wine industry. She earned her two-year enology and viticulture degree from Walla Walla Community College, and was in the first class taught by the late Stan Clarke. She continued her education at Cal Poly in California before returning to Walla Walla.

Elizabeth described the physicality of the job, the heavy use of math and science, the value of being bilingual, and her frequent opportunities for travel. She said the industry is well suited for women because they tend to cook a lot, are sensory, and work with their hands.

Rachel Paxton, who is relatively new to Waitsburg, shared about the many opportunities available for women to make money by working online. Beth studied business and English and uses both in her career as a web designer and writer for her website, creativehomemaking.com.

Rachel began writing a print homemaking newsletter 18 years ago, when she was looking for a way to stay home with her children. Once the Internet became more popular, she began a homemaking website, and was featured in Woman's Day and Family Circle magazines, among many others.

Rachel says online competition has increased dramatically since then, but she is still able to make money online while staying home with her family.

I shared about my non-traditional route to becoming a reporter for The Times, along with some of the plusses and minuses of the job.

Dr. Clarke closed the program by encouraging the girls to further their education and to not discount the value of a community college degree. She also shared the inspirational story of how she made it through her first four years of college.

"My parents were only able to contribute $200 toward college but I was able to finish my four-year degree with no debt. I worked hard, but it is possible," she said.

P.E.O. member Linda Stonecipher discussed the opportunities offered at Cottey College and encouraged the girls to "have a goal, get an education, and finish."

P.E.O. member BethAn Wood reminded the students of the Alumni Association's Lloyd Memorial Fund which provides low interest loans to Waitsburg graduates. "Don't think you can't go to college. If you want to, you can," she said.