By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — High school students seeking more information for life past high school and what is available in the River Regions work force were invited to attend the Chamber of Commerce’s Educational Summit Tuesday.

Chamber event coordinator Kim Bourgeois was pleased with the turnout for the event themed &#8220Gaining Employment in the River Region,” which included 10 local businesses as part of their mini job fair, as well as representatives from the River Parishes Community College and the Louisiana Technical College.

Large corporations such as Dow Chemical were in attendance, as well as people such as self-employed accountant Dave Scranley, who loves being his own boss and couldn’t imagine working for anyone else again.

&#8220I worked for a national accounting firm for seven years. Eventually I was tired of the inter-office politics, and I went out on my own,” Scranley said. &#8220I’ve been on my own for 35 years and have been much happier for it. You don’t always have that steady paycheck, though,

which is a little scary sometimes.”

Buddy Boe, proprietor of B’s Buffet of LaPlace offered his insight into why going into business for yourself is ideal for him and others.

&#8220A lot of people want to get out of college and make $80,000,” Boe said. &#8220We try to tell them that in owning your own company, your income is determined by how hard you want to work. It’s all up to you; you’re your own boss.”

Regardless of what route the students take, the Chamber, along with several sponsors, awarded two $500 scholarships for use at either the RPCC or the LTC. This year’s recipients were Lutcher High School Seniors Brittany Ocmand and Sidney Dunn.

For more information on upcoming events through the River Region Chamber of Commerce contact by phone at (985)-359-9777.