Dr. Rosa A. Smith, Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools, will speak at the Ohio Department of Commerce's Adopt-A-School Mentor Appreciation Breakfast on Tuesday, May 26 at 9:45 a.m. The breakfast will be held at 77 South High Street, 5th Floor Mezzanine, Columbus.

1998 marks the sixth year of the mentorship program between the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Northwest Career Center.

Dr. Smith, who became Superintendent on September 29, 1997, will highlight the importance and value of mentors during the education process. She will speak to the department's 34 mentors and the 23 mentees from the Northwest Career Center. Some of the students share two mentors.

The students, who visit their mentors every Wednesday morning from February through May, have learned basic office procedures such as copying, faxing, filing, and answering telephones. In addition, the students have gained insight into workplace communication, career development, and professionalism.

In addition, Director of Commerce Donna Owens will present a check for $8,500 to school Principal Dave Rankin. The check will represent money raised by department employees to enhance the educational services provided by the Northwest Career Center.

The Ohio Department of Commerce is one of the state's primary regulatory agencies. The department enforces regulations regarding financial institutions, industrial compliance, securities, real estate, fire codes, liquor, auctioneers, and unclaimed funds, among others. The department's Internet address is www.com.state.oh.us.