From Cameron County To World Fame!

Cathy Ostrum

Many graduates of Cameron County High School, and other local schools pre-dating consolidation, have distinguished themselves in science, sports and other fields.

One played in the National Football League.

Another became one of the country's first female railroad engineers.

Yet another earned a berth in the World Olympics. Several have become doctors, lawyers, pastors, business owners -- the success stories are many.

Cameron County alumni have a lot of pride, and many are anxious to share the building blocks of their success with younger generations.

Now, with the new Hometown Mentors Organization (HMO), they can do just that.

"Everyone that I've talked to, in and around Emporium is very supportive of the idea," explained Cathy Ostrum, who will be back in town early next month to attend the Class of 1971 reunion and promote her

brainchild. brainchild.

S h e believes the H M O c o n c e p t , b e i n g h a t c h e d l o c a l l y , c o u l d s p r e a d across the nation.

Ostrum floated a trial balloon during an alumni banquet earlier this year and found that about 60 local grads were interested in participating.

She has conferred with local faculty members Larry McGraw and Mary Meisel to develop a blueprint. If the Cameron

County Board of Education and school adminstrators are supportive, ninth-graders would have the option of working with mentor as part of their mandatory senior project.

"It is still in the planning phases," said Ostrum, "but I'm very confident that it can be a huige success. We really need some funding to get it off the ground. If we get even a couple people to commit a few hours of their time for phone conversations, we'll be on our way."

Ostrum, who still wears her CCHS class ring "to remind me where I came from," grew up in Emporium during Sylvania's heyday. She believes a smalltown upbringing can equip a young adult for success, if it's blended with realistic and wellsupported career ambitions.

"I love the area so much and want to help motivate students to work to their best ability and look to the future," she added. "A young person's extended family, and that includes so many people in a small town, has a huge influence his or her s all of life. Those who have some experience in life need to use what we've learned to help the younger population.

"I'm very passionate about Emporium, Cameron County and the potential that the area still has. It's a wonderful place to grow up with the 'endless mountains' protecting our students, but we also have to prepare this next generation to work with an outside world that may not be quite as secure."

Her HMO plans for volunteers to connect with local students primarily through the Internet and email. Mentors will share career advice and help young people to set attainable goals.

"We can connect engineers with prospective engineers, missionaries with people considering mission work, and so on," Ostrum said. "Through the Internet, the alumnus doesn't have to live in Cameron County or travel. Talent that was started here and moved out into the world can come back to help our future generations.

Ostrum hopes to make the rounds while she's visiting next month from her Alexandria, Va., home. She welcomes phone and email inquiries about HMO at 703-589-6907 and cjostrum@hotmail.com.