Copyright Santa Clarita Valley Signal
By Jeremiah Yonemura For The Signal The Valley Industry Association held its annual VIA Bash ball last weekend at the Hyatt Regency Valencia to celebrate its members’ successes and support its Connecting to Success program. The theme was the Mad Hatters Ball, which was portrayed in performances, sponsor introduction videos and even the attire of some guests who attended in costumes one might find in Wonderland. VIA exists to create business connections and opportunities, and Connecting to Success furthers that goal by helping high schoolers learn professional skills. Attendees were encouraged to donate to the program. The event provided dinner at tables for the different sponsors, and the program’s speakers included VIA Chairwoman Selina Thomas, CEO Kathy Norris, VIA Bash Chair Hillary Broadwater and JCI Santa Clarita President Brittany Barlog. The event opened with costumed dancers from Vibe Performing Arts singing “Welcome to Wonderland,” and later featured a performance from magician Adam Wylie. Throughout the night, VIA recognized community leaders, naming award nominees and winners. The Business of the Year winner was 360 Executive Suites, the Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year winner was Ricki Macken-Chilvers, and the VIA Community Impact Award winner was JCI Santa Clarita. “You are our incredible members. Your passion, dedication and spirit are what make VIA a dynamic organization,” Broadwater said. “You’ve made this community possible with unwavering support and belief in VIA’s mission, and you helped set the tables and fill the cups and make sure our celebration tonight is as grand as it is meaningful.” Founded in 1981, VIA’s purpose is to provide resources to business leaders, establishing connections and legislative advocacy in the SCV. The organization does this by organizing sessions with CEOs and business owners, monthly luncheons, employee training, newsletters, voicing opinions on municipal and state regulations and more. VIA’s Connecting to Success program hosts workshops for high school juniors to learn how to succeed as adults. Business professionals and owners teach skills such as financial literacy, appropriate clothing, leadership and workplace behavior. The program aims to prepare students to enter the workforce. The first workshop included over 500 students at Valencia High School in 2003. Eight high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District now participate, training more than 3,500 students per year. During the Bash, Barlog shared her experience: Wearing a black pencil skirt and a pink blouse as a Canyon High senior in 2014, she arrived at Grace Baptist Church. The opening speaker told the students to take the day seriously, and she did. She felt the facilitators respected her as she asked them questions. Now an entrepreneur, she has volunteered twice as a facilitator. “Facilitators, I know that sometimes it’s hard to know if you really got through to the students,” Barlog said. “But I’m here to confidently say, ‘You got through to me.’ Thank you to being a volunteer in the Connecting to Success program.”
