Although they're too young to compete on the TV show "The Apprentice," a group of Pine-Richland Middle School students might be capturing Donald Trump's attention a few years down the road.
Seventh-grader Amanda Zalno and sixth-graders Devan Donovan, Maddie Barrante, Kathleen Mangano and Daryll Kingan are learning the necessary skills to coordinate a community event from start to finish.
On Nov. 1, the girls will host the second annual Ladies Night Out, a promotional event designed to showcase community businesses and restaurants, said Heidi Donovan, of Pine, the event's parent coordinator and Devan's mother. The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at the school, 100 Logan Road, Pine.
"The event is a service project for the girls and they do everything from advertising to set up," Heidi Donovan said. "The intention is to teach them responsibility, organizational skills, teamwork and communication skills to help prepare them for high school, college and beyond."
Last year, more than 320 people attended the event to appeal to women working outside of their homes during the day or stay-at-home mothers, Heidi Donovan said. Men are welcome to attend.
Participating vendors have displays at the show or sell their products. Although Ladies Night Out is free to the public, participating vendors are asked for a donation to raise money for a school fund that provides financial aid for students who need help paying for field trips, athletic equipment, yearbooks and other school-related expenses.
Heidi Donovan said the students recruited businesses to participate and publicized the event by creating posters and fliers, announcing it at district sporting events and sending e-mails to people they know.
Amanda Zalno, 12, of Pine, participated in last year's event and has found that "getting the word out and getting people interested has been the hardest."
Devan, 11, said the event will be a good opportunity for residents to check out the businesses in the community.
"I like the fact that it is us doing the work, not the adults," Devan said. "I'm really excited. There will be so many stores there with all this cool stuff."
Last year, Ladies Night Out featured 68 local restaurants and businesses, ranging from window washers and personal trainers to a pottery shop, Heidi Donovan said. She expects even more this year.
Ladies Night Out is a wonderful opportunity for people to view what local businesses offer in the community, said Dee Cottage, a master instructor at Young Brothers Tae Kwan Do in Richland.
"We look forward to showing the community what our programs are all about," she said. "It's great that these girls are showing leadership in the community at such a young age."
