Juniors and seniors from Sedan High School and Cedar Vale High School mingled with Chautauqua County business leaders last Wednesday during a business fair hosted by Sedan Floral.

Jonathan Cude’ represented Sedan Floral’s management in making arrangements for the event, along with Jack Newcomb of Quad County Enterprises and Carl Palmer with Kansas Hometown Prosperity.

Four sessions were held during the day with local speakers making the rounds and talking about why they came back to rural communities to earn their livings.

Most emphasized the benefit of the slow pace, low crime rate and family-oriented values they have found in living in Chautauqua County. They also talked about the business opportunities available in small towns as well as employment opportunities.

Each speaker touted the importance of getting some level of advanced training after they graduate from high school, whether at a community college, university, technical school or on-the-job training.

Speakers were: Travis Nordell, Steve Zimmerman, Mike Campbell, Davia Knight, Rudy Taylor, Allen Zadorozny,  Jonathan Cude’, Austin Floyd, Cameron Williams, Mickey Myers, Dr. Shannon Simmons, Jack Newcomb, Ben Allen and Fr. Marcus Cunningham.

Volunteering to help with details were Sue Kill, Lisa Hudson, Faye Melton, Peggy McAfee, Gary Cude’, Jim Bruner, Jeanette Myers, J.D. Rector and others.

The students enjoyed lunch at Sedan Floral. The purpose of the fair was for local business leaders, many of them county natives, to instill in the mind of high school students the opportunities that might be available to them after graduation.