[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DESIGNER TICKETS & MORE

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a very 
special teacher and group of students from Estill County High School. 
Yesterday in Frankfort, Connie Witt and her students received a 
Springboard Award and a $2,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional 
Commission. Ms. Witt and her students were recognized for their success 
running Designer Tickets & More, a school-based printing business, 
which prints designs on everything from bumper stickers to ball caps.
  Six years ago, Connie Witt, who has taught business classes at Estill 
County High School for nine years, received free ticket-making software 
in the mail. Ms. Witt, an entrepreneur at heart, thought it would be a 
shame to let this software go to waste, so she decided that, with the 
help of a few students, she could be in charge of printing tickets for 
the district basketball tournament. Soon, Ms. Witt and her student 
staff realized the value of their work and were suddenly printing 
designs on business cards, buttons, mousepads, and mugs. Today, the 
business known as Designer Tickets & More serves more than 300 
customers in Estill County. They have been lauded by their customers as 
efficient, creative, and affordable. The students redirect their 
profits back into the business as an insurance policy for progressive 
thinking.
  Students who wish to participate in this business venture must submit 
resumes and go through an interview process just as if they were 
applying for a job in my office. From among the applicants, Ms. Witt 
chooses chief executive officers, department heads, and employees. The 
students are held responsible for clocking in and out and must inform 
their boss if they will be unable to come to work due to sickness or 
vacation. Up to 30 students are in charge of running the business each 
semester. They are required to make sales calls, fill out order forms, 
design creative products, and prepare invoices. I applaud Ms. Witt for 
the phenomenal job she has done creating an educational atmosphere 
where students can learn not only about business basics such as 
inventory and sales but also life-skills such as leadership and 
responsibility.
  I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in congratulating Designer 
Tickets & More on receiving a Springboard award and for their hard work 
and dedication. I believe Ms. Witt has discovered an effective and 
educational way to teach Kentucky's future business leaders the 
importance of teamwork, commitment, and responsibility.

                          ____________________