Dear Camp CHAMP team,

We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to the Iverson family and everyone who played a role in making the Camp CHAMP event a success. November’s event at the Technology Center of DuPage was a wonderful experience for our students.

During the event, our 7th and 8th graders had the unique chance to participate in the entire manufacturing process. They got to construct personalized pens, which served as their final project. It was exciting to see their enthusiasm as they engaged with the various steps involved in creating a tangible product.

The students were genuinely fascinated by the advanced technology and high-tech equipment used during the manufacturing process. Witnessing how items can be produced in large quantities with such precision opened their eyes to the possibilities within this field.

As a school that feeds into the Proviso High School district, which boasts an outstanding manufacturing program, it was particularly inspiring for our students. They were able to envision a potential learning pathway in manufacturing, giving them a glimpse of what their future could hold.

Thank you once again for your support and involvement in making this event a memorable experience for our students. Your contributions play a vital role in enriching their educational journey.

Dear Terry Iverson,

I would like to thank CHAMPION Now! for letting me participate in such a great workshop for junior high school students. It is great seeing high school students mentoring the younger kids. It is wonderful idea to have the future of manufacturing
mentoring the future of manufacturing. The way the lab was set up to have students go through all the steps of making their own pen and getting to keep for life, is just amazing. The excitement of the students watching the little CNC lathe cut wood for their pens. Then taking it to the indexer to deburr and stain it. Seeing them use a manual press to assemble their own pen gave each student some sense of accomplishment in doing it themselves. To hear the students comment about how they expected manufacturing to be dirtier, then to see them leaving smiling in their new white CHAMPION Now! T-shirts, says a lot about the stigma that is around manufacturing. You are helping to show that cleanliness is the future. I really appreciate getting the youth involved in manufacturing, as this will help fill in some gaps that are coming with an aging workforce.

If you ever need any help with CHAMPION Now!, you can always count on me to be there.

Best wishes,

Dear Terry Iverson, and the CHAMPION Now! Organization,

I just wanted to let you know how much my students and I really appreciated the Camp CHAMP field trip at the Technology Center of DuPage on November 21st. The students were mesmerized by the manufacturing process of the pens and appreciated that some of the high school students that operated the CNC and lathe machines were former Roosevelt students. I know they enjoyed it very much because they were talking about it to the other students in our building. Many students, some that I don’t even teach, asked if they could attend next time.

For me, I loved the level of organization and foresight you showed throughout the process. From weeks before to the day of the camp, it was truly top notch. I loved how you had stations and the students rotated through. It kept the student’s interest level. You were so energetic and willing to answer any questions.

I know that this opened the eyes of many of my students about possible career choices. Many of them had no idea that a facility and machines like this even existed. Thank you so much for helping me impact so many of my students. We are all indebted to you.

Thanks again.

On November 30, 2023, six seniors from North Chicago High School had an amazing day mentoring 48 students from Neal Math and Science Academy through a pen manufacturing process. Definitely not something they do everyday, but these students learned new, high tech manufacturing skills from the pros at Champions NOW in order to participate, and they haven’t stopped talking about it. The organization even reached their objective of exposing more students to manufacturing careers, and opening their minds to the possibilities, as three of my students are now considering careers in the manufacturing industry.

Terry and his team reached out to NCCHS to participate in one of their day long mentoring events in early Fall. Once we said yes, they were amazingly responsive with answers to our questions and concerns, and flexible in the planning, even moving the event to a partner location when neither of our schools were suitable to host. It ended up being an awesome day of not only learning about the manufacturing field, but also getting tours of high tech classrooms at the College of Lake County’s Advanced Technology Center – a great partnership! The staff at Champions NOW were terrific and patient with our students as they learned how to use and troubleshoot the equipment; the students really enjoyed this professional contact. The drone photos at the end were a big hit as well.

Now that we’ve participated once, we’re looking forward to having our students participate every year, if we can. It was a truly great way to provide exposure for our students, and get them thinking about a field that wasn’t originally in the forefront of any of their minds. Awesome event!

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional Pen Manufacturing Lab that you hosted at the Leyden High School Student Summit. The dedication and effort put into organizing such an insightful event were truly commendable. The Pen Manufacturing Lab provided a unique and engaging experience for middle school students, allowing them to explore the world of CNC manufacturing firsthand. The opportunity for each child to create their own pen from scratch was not only educational but also immensely enjoyable. Witnessing the excitement and enthusiasm on the faces of those budding manufacturers was truly heartwarming.

The lab’s organization was impeccable, ensuring that each student had the necessary materials, tools, and guidance to craft their pens. The step-by-step process not only taught them valuable skills but also fostered a sense of accomplishment and pride as they held their completed pens in their hands. It was evident that careful thought had been put into designing the lab to cater to the age group, making it accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Beyond the immediate joy experienced by the participants, the Pen Manufacturing Lab holds significant long-term value. By exposing young minds to the world of manufacturing, you have inspired a new generation to explore and pursue careers in this field. The lab served as a powerful catalyst for igniting their curiosity, sparking a passion for manufacturing, and opening their eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead. The impact of this experience will undoubtedly extend far beyond the event itself, influencing the career choices and aspirations of these young individuals.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to nurturing the aspirations of our youth. Your organization’s impact will be felt for generations to come.