To celebrate its 11th anniversary, Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities (NEO) hosted its 10+ Year Celebration at its Portage location, New Vistas High School and Adult Education.
The New Vistas parking lot had fun and food in store for the whole family. Las Mamacitas Taco Truck and Moe’s Food Truck set up shop at the event and guests were also treated to popcorn, cake, and other treats. As for entertainment, NEO had live music, bean bag toss, a bubble blower, face painting, and more.
The event brought many old and new familiar faces together, including Anna Swope, former principal of New Vistas High School and Adult Education. Swope worked at the school for six years, saying that what drew her to the position was the fact that the school had a strong focus on outreach.
“I wanted to find a school that was interested in doing outreach,” she said. “I looked at it more as outreach to support students who maybe didn't get the support they needed in other situations. That just tugged at my heart.”
“I definitely have always thought of NEO as a place for students who had any kind of struggle,” Swope continued. “A lot of times, people think of only behavioral issues, and it's not just behavior. It could be an academic struggle where they need a smaller setting. Some students suffer from social anxiety. We do everything we can. That was my mission when I was here: to make sure all the supports were in place to help students succeed.”
Putting the needed supports in place also included a change in location from the old Portage Adult Building over on Central Avenue to the current location five years ago. Chester, Inc. helped with this move, developing a build-out for the present building and cheering NEO on ever since.
“I think NEO provides a good education diversity of High School and Adult Education to collaborate in an educational environment, I think it's very healthy,” said Rich Shields, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Chester. “It's hard to believe it's been 10 + years already. I remember doing the ribbon-cutting here not so long ago. Chester was fortunate to transform it from a bowling alley to this forum. We are appreciative to be a sponsor for this year’s milestone event.”
Portage Mayor Sue Lynch praised NEO and its founder and director, Rebecca Reiner, in a speech at the NEO’s 10+ Year Celebration that ended with a fond embrace between the two women.
“It's just wonderful to see what Rebecca has done in 10 years because every child deserves an education and not all schools fit every child,” Lynch said. “She has created this environment for students. The success stories that come out of here are amazing. I've met some of these students. I can't tell you what a wonderful thing that you have here in our city and for our children. Thank you, Rebecca, for everything that you do. I love you to the core.”
Reiner looks forward to all that the staff at NEO will be able to accomplish in the next 10 years.
“We're not stopping,” she said. “There's so much room for growth.”
To learn more about Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities, visit https://www.neoadulted.org/. For more information about Chester, Inc., visit https://www.chesterinc.com/.
