L/R (Boeing or as designated): Kitty Samaniego , Bruce Umhay, Brad Roberts, Lance Patterson (Intel), Duncan Kunz, Brad Barnes, Gary DeHoff (MD Helicopters), Suzanne Williams, Bill Charlton, Hope Marsh (MPS), Joe Tidwell, Linda Adkins, Finn Waaramaa, Terry Eldridge, Curt Wooley, Ed McBrien (ASU Faculty), Kevin Skinner, Hal Wochholz

The 8 year-old CHOICES teen guidance program at Boeing Mesa is being praised by site leadership for its success in positively impacting the lives of local teenagers. "As a manager here at Boeing, I am pleased to support the CHOICES program," said Al Winn, Apache Programs vice president. "The impact the volunteers have made in the lives of our community's young people has been significant, and the dividends of the efforts exerted are tremendous." The CHOICES program sends trained volunteers to present the message to students that the future they want is within their reach if they make the appropriate choices. The message is delivered in two one-hour sessions given over two days.
Boeing Mesa started the local effort eight years ago. In the first year, the program was presented to nearly 6,000 Mesa ninth-graders. The effort has grown and now covers 9,000 ninth-graders in Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa. Boeing volunteers have been joined by volunteers from Intel and various Rotary Clubs (including the Boeing Mesa Rotary). So far this year more than 6,600 students have participated in the CHOICES program.
The volunteers were saluted at a recent meeting held at Boeing Mesa. At the event, each volunteer also received a CHOICES sweatshirt to wear when doing presentations. Although, "They may be optional when the weather warms," joked Hal Wochholz, who heads the Boeing Mesa CHOICES effort. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Wochholz at hal.wochholz@boeing.com, or (602) 895-6705.