By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce held its second Education Connection at Chelsea High School on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

The first took place at Oak Mountain High School last Friday, Sept. 2, with the goal of  “connecting business with education” by bringing together local businesses and students from Shelby County schools.

It gives high school students a chance to network and meet people that might be working in a field that interests them, and also gives business from around the area the chance to network with other businesses and get word out about their business.

In attendance were several different student organizations at Chelsea High School as well as principal Wayne Trucks, Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, several local business owners, CBA president Ben Smith and newly elected city councilman Casey Morris.

“The chambers investment into our kids at such an early age is such a great thing,” Morris said.

Students networked, took pictures and heard stories of success from members of the business community, and were treated to Whataburger honey butter chicken biscuits and coffee.

“I remember when I was in high school we didn’t have these type of things,” Morris said. “You didn’t have businesses coming into schools networking with juniors and seniors, and even a few sophomores. Investing in them and giving them the opportunity to get life experience of communicating with business professionals can really help them in the long run.”

Morris mentioned there were doctors, executive directors from the commerce, bankers and other representatives that gave students the opportunity to talk one on one with a professional, which gives them great experience for the future.

“The awareness of knowing that these kids are the future work force of not only Chelsea, but Shelby County is tremendous and will help them learn and grow.”

Morris, who is 29-years-old, graduated from Chelsea High School in 2005 and knows about young business owners in the city; since graduating he has owned his own coffee shop in Chelsea and was recently elected to Place 5 on Chelsea’s City Council, making him the youngest to ever serve the city.

Education connection will be taking place at several other schools around the Shelby County area, a list of upcoming dates is below and each of them will take place from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20: Montevallo High School

Tuesday, Sept. 27: College and Career Center

Friday, Oct. 7: Helena High School

Thursday, Oct. 20: Vincent High School

Tuesday, Nov. 15: Calera High School

Wednesday, Nov. 16: Shelby County High School