April is Autism Awareness Month; Local families attend Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day

April is Autism Awareness Month and close to 70 people from four area counties recently attended the third annual Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day at Celebration Cinema in Mount Pleasant; organized by the early childhood partners of the Clare-Gladwin and Gratiot-Isabella Great Start Collaboratives.  

With the sound turned down and the lights turned up, Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day offered local families affected by autism and other sensory sensitivities the chance to spend a day at the theater while being free to walk around and talk as they wished. Everyone in attendance received free admission, free popcorn, and a free beverage as they watched the movie, “Big Hero 6.”

“The Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day was a big success,” said Julie White, Autism Spectrum Disorder Consultant at Clare-Gladwin RESD. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to relax, be themselves, and just have fun together.”

Officers from the Michigan State Police, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department greeted families with a sticker and a smile as they arrived at the theater. Additionally, players on the Beaverton Rural Schools Varsity Football Team also volunteered to get refreshments ready for movie attendants and showed families to their seats. 

Area professionals help local students develop career skills during Mock Interview Day

State Representative Joel Johnson conducts interviews during
Mock Interview Day. 

More than 200 high school students from Clare, Gladwin, and Isabella counties recently practiced job interviews and had their resumes critiqued during this year’s Mock Interview Day; an annual event presented by a committee representing Central Michigan University, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Gladwin County Economic Development Corporation, Manitowoc Foodservice, Middle Michigan Development Corporation, Michigan Works! 7B Consortium, and MSU Extension.

Clare County Sheriff John Wilson interviews a student
during Mock Interview Day.

High school juniors and seniors from Beal City, Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison, and Shepherd gathered at Central Michigan University’s Bovee Center to strengthen those essential career competencies with guidance from approximately 65 area professionals who volunteered their time to conduct the interviews and critiques. Informational workshops were also offered by Bandit Industries, Inc. and MSU Extension covering topics including job etiquette, interview skills, budgeting, and proper interview attire.

Brent Mishler of Mid Michigan Community College
participates in Mock Interview Day. 

“After today, I feel like I could go into an interview with confidence,” said a student participant. Another student commented, “I really enjoyed this experience. It will help me in the future and I think a lot of kids should experience it too.”

Mock Interview Day 2015 was made possible by generous contributions from the following organizations:

Heather Harris of Bandit Industries, Inc. offered
educational sessions for students.

• Manitowoc Foodservice  
• Mitsuba
• Future Mold
• Highland Plastics, Inc. 
• Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium 
• Mid Michigan Human Resource Association
• MidMichigan Health
• Burkhart-Presidio Insurance
• Clare-Gladwin RESD
• StageRight Corporation