Sycamore High School Partners with Sycamore Chamber of Commerce for Third Annual Power Academy

Sycamore High School is proud to continue its partnership with the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce for the third year of the Power Academy, a program designed to connect students with local business leaders and provide real-world insight into professional skills that build future success.

Students in Mrs. Kara Poynter’s Agriculture Senior Career Academy class met with business professionals every other week to learn about essential workplace skills, from communication and teamwork to time management and adaptability. Each session focused on a key “power skill” and gave students the chance to hear directly from industry leaders about how those skills play out in their careers.

"Programs like the Power Academy exemplify what it means to prepare students for life beyond high school. Through our partnership with the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, students are able to connect classroom learning with real-world application,” said Mr. Brian Swanson, Sycamore High School Principal. “We are incredibly grateful to our local business leaders for investing their time and expertise to help our students build the confidence, professionalism, and skills that will serve them after graduation."

This year’s Power Academy lineup featured a range of Sycamore’s businesses and community organizations:

• October 16, 2025: Joel Barczak, Owner of Blumen Gardens, shared insights on Resilience & Adaptability.
• October 28, 2025: Ben Trompeter, Manager of the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, discussed the importance of efficient Problem-Solving. 
• November 6, 2025: Tate & Lyle staff highlighted the best practices of the Organization.
• November 13, 2025: Representatives from the Sycamore Police Department discussed Communication and Interpersonal Skills.
• November 20, 2025: Weaver Construction led a session on Time Management, helping students understand the importance of planning, organization, and efficiency on the job site and beyond.
• December 4, 2025: Upstaging, Inc. closed out the semester with a presentation on Teamwork.
   

“The POWER Academy represents the best of what can happen when education and business work hand in hand,” said Rose Treml, CEO of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce. “By engaging students with our local professionals, we’re not only helping them build essential career skills. We are also strengthening the future workforce and fostering a deeper connection between our schools and the Sycamore business community.”  

Through this ongoing partnership, Sycamore High School and the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce continue to empower students with the skills, confidence, and community connections they’ll need to thrive long after graduation.