Knob Noster, MO (July 19-2005)--Marion Jordon, Sr., newspaper publisher and founder and CEO of a minority-owned popcorn manufacturing and distribution plant 60 miles away from his newspaper’s headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, took time out of his busy schedule last Saturday, July 16, to give a personal tour of Jordon Foods Company (www.jordonfoods.com) and motivate ninth graders from the Kansas City, Missouri public school district about the importance of having a plan and following through with it—like obtaining a college education and going into business. 
This is the second year that African-American business-owners Jordon and wife, Denise opened their plant in Knob Noster, Missouri to participants in Central Missouri State University’s (CMSU) Summer Bridge program.
CMSU’s Summer Bridge students are getting a first-hand look at college as they spend three weeks on the university’s Warrensburg campus. As their parents joined them Friday afternoon, July 15, they liked what they found after their children had completed the first week.
The annual program brings 30 students selected from high schools in the Kansas City School District to campus to spend three weeks in a residence hall. They have just completed the ninth grade.
Students experience academic enrichment from CMSU faculty and six Kansas City, Missouri School District teachers who make the trip as well. They are joined for one week by graduates of last year’s program, who also provide mentoring and reassurance for first year students when not in their own classes.
In addition to the classroom, field trips take students to places like the state capital in Jefferson City and the Truman Library in Independence to study history and government. A trip to CMSU’s Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport gives them a taste of a career in aviation.
Cardella Johnson arrived on the bus Friday afternoon, not sure what to expect when she met her daughter, Ashley Nave, who attends Paseo Academy.
“This is the first time we’ve been separated,” said Johnson. “But she’s only been here a week, and I’ve seen a change.”
Johnson found her daughter a little more confident, and certainly more organized. She also was eager to explain to her mother how Summer Bridge works.
“She showed me how they have to work from a syllabus, and they’re responsible for getting their own work
done,” Johnson said. She is confident her daughter will complete Summer Bridge ready to take advantage of what high school has to offer as she prepares to enter college.
It’s not all about the classroom. Parents spent Saturday morning with representatives of CMSU’s Office of Admissions and Office of Student Financial Assistance, learning what their children need to accomplish and what they, as parents, can do to provide assistance when the time comes to choose a college.
As Freda Ross waited to join her daughter, Fredrica, for dinner on campus with CMSU’s President Aaron Podolefsky Friday night, she said she believes her daughter will gain valuable insight from Summer Bridge, which is in its second year.
“This will teach her what college is all about,” Ross said. “She’s pretty responsible, but she’s never been on her own before. I like the fact that they begin explaining things to them now, while they still can accomplish things that will get them ready for college.”
The trip to the Jordon Foods Company Plant took place Saturday afternoon as students and their families boarded a bus and traveled a few miles east of Warrensburg, to Knob Noster, Missouri which is also home of Whiteman Air Force Base where the famous B-2 bombers are located.
In addition to manufacturing specialty popcorn, Jordon Foods is a wholesaler and retail distributor of barbecue and steak sauces, specialty coffees and honey. Jordon told the students how he founded the business in 1998 with popcorn grown on the family’s farm near Knob Noster.
Jordon’s wife, Denise Jordon is a 1974 CMSU graduate and managing editor of family’s newspaper, The Kansas City Globe . She told the students they, too, could accomplish their goals with a college education.
“Start now,” Jordon said. “Find out what you need to be doing in high school, and make the most of the opportunity you have to prepare for college.”
During the tour, students parents and teachers snacked on fresh popped George Washington’s All-American Favorite Popcorn and as they left the plant, Marion Jordon happily stood at the door and gave each person a package of microwave popcorn to take back to the dorm.
Jordon Foods Products are sold in major retail grocery stores throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area and can be shipped to any location in the world. For more information about Jordon Foods company go to the website at: www,jordonfoods.com or call: 1-660-563-2271 or toll free at: 1-800-559-4479.
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