A new governor, plus a very old dropout problem, fueled significant media interest in this year’s NW Youth Careers Expo and Expo Breakfast. We highlight some notable coverage here:

The Oregonian/OregonLive news: Reporter Richard Read and photographer Kristyna Wentz-Graff put together a great photo gallery and story that captures the significance (and fun) of the day. Here’s an excerpt:

At a Pacific Power exhibit, journeyman line foreman Ray Cowell taught Jose Martinez, from SE Works‘ general educational development program, how to use a maneuver a pole to install a protective barrier around a power line. At a Portland Police Bureau booth, Edwin Benavides, a Roosevelt High School sophomore, took notes while talking with cadet Anthony Jones.

Victor Montano, a Roosevelt sophomore, struggled to do chin-ups at a U.S. Marines booth. Michelle Derting, Andersen Construction employee development coordinator, helped Matilda Klopfenstein, a Benson Polytechnic High Schooljunior, don a hardhat.

During breakfast remarks, Gov. Kate Brown said that 30 years ago, if students dropped out of high school, they could make a decent living by logging, farming or fishing. Now, she said, that door is closing.

“Dropping out of high school is no longer a viable economic option,” Brown said. “Now, education is absolutely essential to prosperity.”

KOIN 6 news: Kohr Harlan from the local TV station visited the Expo and focused on the very popular Gunderson welding exhibit. Harlan pointed out that the skilled trades offer opportunities for students to land good middle-class jobs without a four-year college degree.

The Oregonian/OregonLive opinion: Columnist David Sarasohn visited the Expo and shared his take. focusing on Portland Community College as an entry point. Oregon’s educational goals, he said, depend a great deal on PCC and its capacity to serve a growing region.