Eighth grade students at Ste. Genevieve Middle School recently had the opportunity to meet and engage with area representatives from local businesses, organizations and colleges and universities as part of their annual Career Week. Starting on Monday, Oct. 11 and lasting through Friday, Oct. 15, the week offered a different type of learning for students each day.
The progression of the activities throughout the week included:
Monday: Shadow Day: Students traveled to the high school to engage with five speakers who covered a broad spectrum of career choices: Chief Nursing Officer Mrs. Jennifer McBride-Hobbs from the Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, SGHS Business teacher Denise Bader, SGHS Auto Mechanics teacher Jeremy Mueller, SGHS Agriculture teacher Hannah Fritsche-Donze, and SGHS Engineering teacher Kenneth Rapp.
Tuesday: Perryville CTC Day: Students took a field trip to the Perryville Area Career and Technology Center to learn about the various hands-on learning opportunities the center has to offer, some of which include: Digital Media and Broadcast, Auto Mechanics and Welding.
Thursday: Career Day: Students rotated through five presentations from area representatives to learn about their particular fields of study: Aerospace Engineer Amy Helvey, EMT personnel Daytona Brown and Rachel King, Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary representative John Madigan, Conservation Officer Rob Sulkowski, veterinarian Dr. Jodi Bainter, Bloomsdale Bank Assistant Vice President Brian Keim, beautician Jessica Meyer, dentist Dr. Philip Loida, SG National Historic park rangers Claire Casey and Andy Newman, School Resource Officer Christy Clark, geologist Martin Donze, and student workers Lindsey Crump and Paige Huck.
Friday: What It Takes Day: Students visited the following presenters on the topic of what it takes to be the best version of themselves. This also included presentations from local universities where students could learn about which classes they should consider taking in high school that will be beneficial for what they decide to do in life. Representatives included: Ste. Genevieve High School Assistant Principal and A+ Coordinator Mrs. Jami Drury, SEMO representative Lindsay Smoot, SLU representative Beth Collier, Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor, and Tyson Schaffner, president of Patched Overalls.
“We would like to thank all of the individuals from businesses and local universities for taking the time to visit our school and talk to our students about the possibilities for their futures,” Counselor Mr. Ed Draper said. “We would also like to thank our faculty and staff at the middle school and high school who had a hand in helping to make this week a success for our eighth graders as they explored a wide variety of career opportunities this week.”