Empowering Future Tech Leaders: THIS IS IT! Club Enters Fourth Year

A program designed to spark student interest in technology and open doors to future careers is now entering its fourth year in Warren County.

The THIS IS IT! (TII!) Club launched its newest session on January 14 at Samuel’s Public Library. Since its start in January 2023, the tuition-free program has grown into a collaborative effort between local IT professionals, business leaders, and volunteers — with additional support from firms outside the county.

The club serves up to 25 students in grades 9-12 from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds. Participants meet every other Wednesday evening from January through May, completing homework assignments between sessions. Each student is provided a laptop and other necessary equipment for the duration of the program.

Organizers say the goal is simple: introduce students to the fundamentals of information technology while giving them a real-world look at potential career paths. The curriculum is updated each year to reflect current trends and emerging technologies in the fast-changing IT field.

“I think that TII! is a great way to build foundational IT knowledge and to network with small business owners to get an internship or job,” said a student from the 2025 program. “They want motivated workers with passion, so if you show that you are interested and willing to put in the work, they will be happy to bring you aboard.”

Students must apply and be accepted into the program. Club leaders also keep parents informed about student progress and activities throughout the year.

Beyond technical instruction, the club focuses on practical career skills. Students learn how to write resumes, prepare for interviews, and apply for scholarships. Last year, five scholarships totaling more than $16,000 were awarded through donations from local citizens. Several past participants have also secured paid summer internships and, in some cases, longer-term employment opportunities.

Col. (ret.) Keith Butler speaks to students during Orientation Night for the THIS IS IT! Club at Samuels Public Library, sharing insights from his military and technology leadership experience.

This year’s opening session, known as “Orientation Night,” featured remarks from Frank Lagasse, one of the club’s founders. Lagasse thanked students and parents for their commitment and outlined the year’s syllabus.

Melissa Chapman, former Chief Information Officer and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and former CIO for the Food and Drug Administration, also addressed the group. Chapman now serves as president of 9th Way Insignia and is a member of the club’s leadership team. She introduced the evening’s guest speaker, retired Air Force Col. Keith Butler of ENSCO Inc., a Northern Virginia firm that supports the program.

Butler, who previously served as Wing Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, the only B-2 bomber wing in the U.S. Air Force, shared lessons from his military and professional career. Parents and students described his remarks as inspiring and forward-looking.

Col. (ret.) Keith Butler greets Civil Air Patrol Cadet Airman 1st Class Colin Montgomery before the start of the THIS IS IT! Club’s Orientation Night at Samuels Public Library.

In a surprise moment at the end of the presentation, student Colin Montgomery, a Cadet Airman 1st Class with the Civil Air Patrol, thanked Butler for his service and revealed a slide showing Butler’s final flight in a B-2 aircraft. Butler turned to see images of himself and his family during that milestone moment, drawing warm applause from the audience. Several students were later asked to take photos with him.

As it begins its fourth year, the THIS IS IT! Club continues to reflect what organizers call a community-driven effort — uniting educators, technology leaders, parents, and students with a shared goal.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the club aims to ensure Warren County’s young people are not just prepared for the future but ready to lead it.

For more information, visit https://www.tii-va.org/