In 2009, the same year Career Partners launched E² (E-Squared), the program received the Governor’s Region 4 Creating Excellence Award, recognizing its innovative approach to preparing students for the workforce.
The recognition reflected the collaborative model at the heart of E². Students were challenged to develop their skills through a real-world business competition, while local business coaches, teachers, sponsors, and volunteers worked together to provide the guidance and resources needed to make the experience possible.
Receiving the award during E²’s inaugural year provided early recognition of both the program’s innovative approach and the community partnerships behind it.
In the years that followed, E² continued to grow while maintaining the same foundation: challenging students to collaborate, think critically, solve problems, and present their ideas professionally while learning directly from members of the local business community.