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Students learn career
choices are many as professionals present possibilities on Career Day
at McNab
Career Day 2007 was celebrated on Wednesday, June 6 at McNab-Meco
Elementary School. The entire student body spent the morning
enthusiastically participating in activities with a variety of
presenters, from Fulton County and the surrounding upstate New York
region, who spoke about and demonstrated aspects of their unique work
experiences. (Click here to see a photo
album of Career Day.)
For the second year, second and third grades were included in the
Career Day event. The following five guests participated with this
young crowd:
- David Blanchard, entrepreneur
and assistant principal at McNab-Meco, demonstrated the use of a
front-end loader and a Bombardier snow thrower for the delighted
youngsters. Mr. Blanchard explained that his snow removal business
started years ago when he and his brother were a couple of kids with
snow shovels.
- Kim Daley and Jeanette Hayner
of Barks and Purrs talked about their pet grooming business with the
help of a little four-footed assistant, Niko.
- Shannon Douglass, youth
program coordinator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, spoke about
her job and described the many services and opportunities associated
with Cooperative Extension, including after school programs, 4H, and
Master Gardener.
- Battalion Captain Beth Putnam
of the Gloversville Fire Department demonstrated an array of
equipment firefighters use and described the intensive training
required. She spoke of the importance of perseverance to reach a
dream.
- Chris Vose, marketing
representative for the NYS Canal System
highlighted the history and importance of the canals, explaining
about dams, locks and a wide array of uses of our canals, including
some fascinating school field trip possibilities.
Fourth and fifth grade students
signed up to hear four of eleven presenters from among the following
choices:
- Katie Alexander, an engineer
working for Epimed International encouraged students to consider a
career in engineering and challenged them with a problem they needed
to solve with cooperation and creativity.
- Melissa Barclay described her
role as a maternity nurse with Nathan Littauer Hospital. She
demonstrated masks and apparel nurses wear to keep from spreading
germs, and brought an attractive visual display which illustrated a
variety of career opportunities with our local hospital.
- Artist Linda Biggers inspired
students with her magnificently unique mosaics created from painted
eggshells. Students were able to see photographs of Linda’s most
recent project, a life-size horse sculpture which is on display in
Saratoga at Longfellow’s Restaurant.
- Tiffany Capparello, a
veterinary technician, spoke with students about methods and
technology involved in caring for animals that are sick.
- Shannon Hart of Stock’s
Contracting addressed students about career possibilities in the
world of construction. She covered the basics of foundations,
framing, plumbing, roofing, and electricity.
- Kathi DiMagisitris, florist
from the Gloversville Price Chopper, described her career while
creatively arranging four completely different looks, each using
merely a dozen blooms. Four lucky students won a drawing to take an
arrangement home.
- David Darling of the
Gloversville Wal-Mart spoke with students about his career change
from music education to work in retail management. Students also
learned about the personal qualities of cheerfulness, respect,
cooperation and team work which contribute to success in this field.
- Loreen Murphy, communication
specialist and webmaster for GESD, intrigued students with her
unusual career journey which started with working in the circus and
transitioned to journalism. She shared a beautiful promotional piece
about Gloversville Schools in IMAGES, a Fulton County Chamber of
Commerce publication.
- Josh Presseisen, video game
designer, enthralled students with his impressive computer 3D
graphics and animation. He also illustrated the use of
three-dimensional technology in creating and viewing architectural
design.
- Daniel Sprung, an automotive
technician for Scotia Motors, gave students a visual tour under the
hood of a car and described the job of maintaining and fixing
automobiles. Included in his discussion was the role of the Internet
and computer technology in automotive repair.
- Detective Don Van Deusen of
the Gloversville Police Department explained the training and
qualities necessary to be a good detective. He encouraged all
students to make good choices that respect one another and the law
so they do not limit their career options in the future.
McNab students were inquisitive
and eager to enjoy all facets of the day. The event was concluded by
lunchtime, but the excited buzz in the building lasted throughout the
day. Remarks from presenters, students and school staff, underscored
how much everyone enjoyed the experience. Plans are already underway
for Career Day 2008.
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