MHI Solutions Improving Supply Chain Performance
The two MHI Student Days participants who won the raffle at ProMat 2017 to shadow NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson share behind-the-scenes observations about their adventure.
By Delana Hopkins—
An eagerly anticipated tradition during Student Days at ProMat and MODEX events, the Wednesday afternoon keynote speaker (typically a celebrity entrepreneur) spends time with the students and their instructors. Most recently at ProMat 2017, National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises and new president of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers and, joined the participants.
In addition to discussing how to position themselves for future career success, Johnson had a couple of surprises for the students, who represented universities, high schools, trade and technical schools, community colleges and Job Corps: First, he held a drawing for an autographed Magic Johnson jersey, randomly selecting Ohio University student Prakash Jamar Kattel.
He then took an audible and conducted a surprise random drawing for the opportunity to “Shadow Magic” during an all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles. The winning student was Gavin Peterson of Bryan High School in Omaha, NE. Before departing from ProMat, Johnson requested a second drawing for another student. The second winner was Nigel Hammett of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&TSU) in Greensboro, NC.
Hammett and Peterson were also invited to bring a guest with them on the trip. Hammett selected fellow NCA&TSU student Nepri James while Peterson’s father Kent joined his son. The four of them joined two other students—who won a similar drawing during Houston Money Week’s Signature Event “100 Teens”—in Los Angeles on Monday, July 24 this past summer on a whirlwind day of activities and meet-and-greets.