Scorpion Speaker Series
OMO's Scorpion Speaker Series connects the leaders of today with the leaders of tomorrow.
On Fridays, inspiring community members come to Oakland Mills High School to share their life, work, and experiences with students and staff. These presentations and conversations connect people, building appreciation and empathy, and inspiring others. If you see it, you can be it.
December
Theme: Disability Awareness Month (ASL, ALS, AFB)
Friday, 12/10 - American Sign Language expert (and OMO administrator) Jessie Patterson and other members of the deaf community will talk about life with cochlear implants, signing, and lip reading as they navigate a hearing world
Friday, 12/17- Jenn Lavanish, Artist and OMHS parent, and others will share their experiences as people who are legally blind
Session Start times: 10:25, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45
Location: OMHS Media Center
Note: Due to COVID safety protocols, beginning October 22, presenters and attendees must have their vaccination card registered with the HCPSS PinPoint system prior to entering the school. More information from HCPSS
Theme: Disability Awareness Month (ASL, ALS, AFB)
Friday, 12/10 - American Sign Language expert (and OMO administrator) Jessie Patterson and other members of the deaf community will talk about life with cochlear implants, signing, and lip reading as they navigate a hearing world
Friday, 12/17- Jenn Lavanish, Artist and OMHS parent, and others will share their experiences as people who are legally blind
Session Start times: 10:25, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45
Location: OMHS Media Center
Note: Due to COVID safety protocols, beginning October 22, presenters and attendees must have their vaccination card registered with the HCPSS PinPoint system prior to entering the school. More information from HCPSS
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We KNOW we can learn from one another.
We KNOW we can grow from each other's stories. We KNOW we all can be leaders by offering our gifts and talents. |
Monthly (nationally-recognized) themes:
September - Hispanic Heritage October - Homecoming and Local History November - Wellness (whole self and whole community) December - Disabilities Awareness January - World Religion February - Black History March - Women's History April - Arab & Asian Culture May - Poetry June - Pride Vertical Divider
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History:
In her role as a high school English teacher, Amy first created the Scorpion Speaker Series in 2019 as a way to connect students with leaders in our community. Each Friday, volunteers came to Oakland Mills High School to share their experiences with the students and staff in a "small" group (think 100+ students/staff) space.
The Scorpion Speaker Series was the inspiration for OMO--when school buildings closed on March 13, 2020, Amy wanted to give students a chance to still listen and talk with the amazing community members she had lined up. This led to her connecting to Jessica about how to take SSS online, and make it more accessible to all ages, which then led to the creation of eight sessions a day five days a week. OMO quickly became a place of connection during COVID isolation.
In her role as a high school English teacher, Amy first created the Scorpion Speaker Series in 2019 as a way to connect students with leaders in our community. Each Friday, volunteers came to Oakland Mills High School to share their experiences with the students and staff in a "small" group (think 100+ students/staff) space.
The Scorpion Speaker Series was the inspiration for OMO--when school buildings closed on March 13, 2020, Amy wanted to give students a chance to still listen and talk with the amazing community members she had lined up. This led to her connecting to Jessica about how to take SSS online, and make it more accessible to all ages, which then led to the creation of eight sessions a day five days a week. OMO quickly became a place of connection during COVID isolation.
Save the Date!
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Tuesday, November 9 6:00-7:30pm Support OMO in the Howard County Changemaker Challenge! OMO is one of 10 finalists. We'll be pitching our Big Idea of expanding the Scorpion Speaker Series beyond OMHS to make more connections between students and inspiring community members. Join the live event and vote for OMO to give us a chance to win an additional grant of $10,000! More Information |
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Past Sessions
Hispanic Heritage:
September 17- My Hispanic Heritage: Amber Drenner, UnitedWay
October 1- Hispanic Heritage Panel Discussion: Students and Staff reflect on their identities as Hispanic Americans and discuss the immigrant experience
Homecoming and Local History:
October 8- Knowing our History: Former OMHS educator and founder of Alpha Achievers, Vincent James, will share the stories of amazing OMHS students who have made a difference in the world.
October 22- Where are They Now?: Hear from various OMHS Alumni about their journey after graduating from high school.
October 29- A Vision for OMHS- former principal, Frank Eastham, and current principal, Jeff Fink, will share how they were tasked with empowering staff and students after difficult times and what they know is true about the scorpion spirit!
Whole School Wellness
November 5 - State's Attorney Rich Gibson and Police Lieutenant Ehart explain the Howard County LEAD Program and its purpose of restoring citizens and the community. The goal of the LEAD program is to improve public health and public safety by reducing future harm and criminal behavior caused by individuals engaged in crimes related to unmet behavioral health needs. Learn more about the LEAD Program
November 12 - Teen Mental Health Corrine Heilinger, LCPC, and Barbie Lewis-Johnson, LCSW-C, will share insights from their practices working with stressed-out teens and will demonstrate ways to stay grounded and calm when life gets messy.