Growing interest in career education and a compelling lineup of speakers drove a record turnout of 428 attendees at this year’s Expo Breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s a look at the morning in pictures:

 

Gov. Kate Brown, sworn in last month as Oregon’s 38th governor, expressed her support for PWA’s work and for career technical education in high schools.

 

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales spoke as well, sharing some insights with the audience of community leaders and students.

 

Our featured private-sector speaker was Elemental Technologies CEO and co-founder Sam Blackman, recently named Oregon’s tech executive of the year. (You can see him at left in one of the above photos, listening to Franklin High student Antonio Crosier.) Joining Blackman was Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith, a staunch supporter of career education.

 

Finally, here are a few other photos that give a sense of the day. The group photo with the governor includes these students and leaders, L-R: Skylar Williams from Madison High School; Oregon Gov. Kate Brown; Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith; Antonio Crosier from Franklin High School; and Jocelyn Orellana from Jefferson High School.

Photo note: Thank you to PPS, the mayor’s office and Benson High School student Andy Lai for sharing these photographs.

Expo 2015: Photo highlights from the PWA Expo Breakfast