ST. LOUIS — This year’s St. Charles County STEM Recognition Breakfast, co-sponsored by the Electrical Connection, featured a keynote speaker who inspired students in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math. The best and brightest students in St. Charles County heard from Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager of the General Motors Wentzville, Assembly Plant. The advanced manufacturing facility was built and is serviced by Electrical Connection IBEW/NECA members. The STEM Recognition Breakfast is presented by Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles and will salute 18 high school students. It will be held Friday March 4, 2016 at the Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters, Mo.

The GM plant is a prime example of advanced manufacturing propelling the future of Missouri’s automotive industry. “As the Electrical Connection engages schools and civic organizations in STEM education throughout the area, we frequently spotlight the robotics, process controls and power sources at advanced manufacturing facilities like the GM plant,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection. “It is part of the core curriculum at the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center.”

STEM is a national and regional effort to better prepare the workforce of tomorrow by encouraging today’s students to engage more in studies, events and careers involving science, technology, engineering and math. “Both GM and the Electrical Connection are prime examples of the importance of STEM education,” said Greg Prestemon, president, Partners for Progress. “The GM plant is an engineering marvel, one requiring the extraordinary skills and safety of the Electrical Connection IBEW/NECA partnership to build and sustain through retrofits and expansions.” The Electrical Connection has formed educational partnerships with the Saint Louis Science Center, Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club, St. Louis Cardinals, Saint Louis Football Club, U.S. Green Building Conference (USGBC) — Missouri Gateway Chapter and more.

The St. Charles County students honored at this year’s STEM breakfast include:

• Shelby Beasley, Orchard Farm High School
• James Clemens, Fort Zumwalt East High School
• Matthew Reidenbach, Saint Charles High School
• Tyler Hoffmann, Fort Zumwalt West High School
• Elise Kaminski, Francis Howell High School
• Alexander Lu, St. Charles West High School
• Matt Urbeck, Fort Zumwalt North High School
• Alicia Alexander, Timberland High School
• Brittany Krafft, Duchesne High School
• Jacob Beckmann, Francis Howell North High School
• Brenden Bratsch, Francis Howell Central High School
• Marcus Forrest, Fort Zumwalt South High School
• Keenan Bross, St. Dominic High School
• Andrew Sides, Lutheran High School
• Sarah Darnell, Christian High School
• Brianna Farrell, Lewis & Clark Career Center (FH)
• Rajon Scott, Holt High School
• Cameron Graham, Liberty High School.

The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Members provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.