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On Saturday, February 11th, 2006
hundreds of students crowded the Zel Technologies, LLC (ZelTech) exhibit booth
at MEGAGENESIS 2006, anxious to play XboxTM and learn how skills in gaming
equate to skills for employment at ZELTECH and other companies in the technology
industry. Mr. Hank Lewis coordinated the volunteers who provided several ideas
and support to organize and set up this year's event. Organizers and participants
included Mr. Darwin Washington, Mr. Steve Hudson, Mr. Travis Reed, Mr. Will
Ashe, Mr. Dave Fratello, Mr. Azar Allen, Mr. Kelly Smith, and Mr. Breon Ridley.
MEGAGENESIS is a Career Day program held each year at Woodside High School
in Newport News, VA. The program focuses on encouraging and preparing students
to attend college. It is designed to assist with the development of highly
motivated, goal-oriented students who are likely to study harder, score higher,
improve academic achievement, and Standards of Learning test scores.
Co-sponsored by Newport News Public Schools and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Inc., MEGAGENESIS has been a yearly event for the past 10 years. ZelTech has
been an honored participant for the past nine years. An average of 1,000 students
attends the program each year with the support of parents, community leaders,
and state representatives. Last year, over 1,700 students and parents attended
MEGAGENESIS. The attendance estimate for this year exceeded the numbers for
2005. Attendees were introduced to professions and colleges to potentially
inspire their careers and educational goals. Corporate sponsors provided lunch
for students, parents, and exhibitors.
MEGAGENESIS consists of four components:
Morning components included -
1. Motivational speaker (2006 - Will La Veist; Daily Press Columnist)
2. College recruiters from over 60 colleges and universities
3. Corporate exhibits demonstrating uses of various college majors
Afternoon components included -
4. Fifty-five seminars hosted by local professionals (e.g., doctors, engineers,
and other professionals similar to those who work at ZelTech)
ZelTech's trade show exhibit was a rounding success. Nineteen-inch television
screens displayed the dazzle and hooks of Dual Xbox systems, which captured
the student's attention and engaged them in conversation about careers in
the technology field. Students also participated in drag races ("Need
for Speed"), while discussing Xbox skills and tricks. Xbox helped them
make the connection between gaming skills and the technology employed which
could be a strong link to their future career and employment opportunities.
Winners received promotional prizes including pens and puzzles provided by
ZelTech's Recruiting Department. In some cases, the puzzles drew more attention
than Xbox - the multicolored orbs were a real challenge.
The event attracted a myriad of inquisitive minds. The ZelTech booth was mobbed
for most of the day! Hundreds visited, and asked about employment with ZelTech.
They also wanted to know how they could pursue careers in gaming, and other
technologies. Over sixty students registered for follow-up career discussions.
During morning conversations, students were encouraged to attend our afternoon
seminars, where we presented how ZelTech grew to where it is today and how
they could get started today. Attendance at the seminars was strong. For additional
incentive, drawings were held for calculators and pocket radios (donated by
Mr. Lewis) - students had to be present to win. Mr. Jack Ezzell, ZelTech's
CEO, and Mr. Darwin Washington conducted a seminar on Business Management;
and Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. Ridley collaborated with the IT Director
for the City of Norfolk to conduct a seminar on Careers in Technology.
The names of registrants were provided to the Newport News Superintendent
of Public Schools Mr. Newsome, and the Hampton Coalition for Youth to coordinate
opportunities for corporate tours and discussions with career counselors.
MEGAGENESIS 2007 promises to be even greater.
For more information about Zel Technologies, please contact
us as follows:
Zel Technologies LLC (ZelTech)
Attention: Corporate Affairs
54 Old Hampton Lane
Hampton, VA 23669
Telephone: (757) 722-5565
Fax: (757) 722-8516
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