BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
It’s that time of year, when students at Lake Butler Middle School are treated to presentations from a number of professionals in various fields. The main idea is to allow the students to see what is involved in various jobs and professions and get an idea of how they will need to prepare themselves (such as in the selection of a class schedule) to be equipped to pursue the career of their choice.
This year, the event ran from 8:05 a.m. until 10 a.m., with four career sessions. Students were asked to fill out a form selecting four career choices that interested them and to record some of the questions they would like to ask during their sessions – an aid in preventing forgotten questions during the excitement of some of the sessions.
The youngsters moved from location to location to the sessions of their choice, most of which were held indoors due to weather concerns. A few sessions had to remain outside at the front of the school, the bus ramp/loop and open areas on the campus, since bringing an 18-wheeler, a fire truck and a live horse inside was not thought practical. At the end of their fourth session, students proceeded to their regular schedule for third period and throughout the remainder of their day.
As for the presenters, who volunteered their time to pass on their knowledge and vocation, more than 40 participated. The variety of topics, jobs and careers presents was extremely varied and showed just how hard the LBMS faculty and staff worked to located people willing to take on the challenge of challenging the young.
Students had the chance to watch a horse trainer at work, and a farrier putting shoes on another animal (horse). They were allowed to sit in the driver’s seat of an 18-wheeler (and sound the air horn), explore the interior of an EMS vehicle and see demonstrations of the assorted equipment routinely carried on a fire truck.
Local craftsman, service persons and professionals who donated their time and expertise to making Career Day a big success were:
Air National Guard Mechanic – Michael Cornwall
Athletic Trainer – Crista Rosborough
Banker – Jenny Reed
Bridge Engineer – Jason Stalnaker and Dustin Hersey
Chemical Engineer – Kent Coburn
Chiropractor – Kelly Clark
Corrections – Lt. Stephanie Highland and Ofc. Heather Liston
Cosmetologist – Amanda Hardee and Georgia Reddish
Dental Hygienist – Shelby Parmenter and Casey King (Dental Assistant)
Dietician – Christy Thomas
EMS/Emergency Management – Andrea Lewis, Tita Mungia-Velaquez and Julie Huber
Event Planning – Morgan Starling
Farrier – Chris Jones
Union County Fire Department – Buddy Broughton and Mickey Foster.
Forensics – Todd Hanlon
Forester – Holly Tucker, Chase Rowe and Daniel Cook.
Florida Wildlife Commission – Bret Gill and Teri Graves
Horse Trainer – John Johns
Judge – Mitchell Bishop
K-9 – Officer Mike Southerland.Jow Trowell and Nick Krahl
Lawyer – Aaron Dukes
Lineman-Clay Electric – Jordan Wade and Pat Mundorf
Medical Practices Director – Peggy Crews
Mental Health Counselor – Michelle Green
Mill Operations – Josh Crawford, Carly Loznicka (Human Resources Director)
Musician – Rob Lightsey
North Florida Technical College – Keith Kirby
Nurse – Robbie Barber and Shelbie Barber
Pharmacist – Emily Wilson
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) – Joey Edge
Realtor – Kayla Alvarez and Crystal Moody
Sheriff’s Deputy – David Gladding and Brad Whitehead
Software Developer – Doug Mays
Speech/Language Pathologist – Joy Zapp
Supervisor of Elections Office – Debbie Osborne, Linda Gibson and Jessica Drawdy
Teacher – Kelly Dorsey
Tree Service Owner – Thomas Nettles
Trucking – Alexandra Pritchett and Don McDavid
Veterinary Technician – Lisa Holtzendorf
Veterinary Clinical Researcher – Lana Fagman and Kaylee Young
Victim Advocate Counselor – Allison Green and Aileen Solero
Wildlife Sanctuary Director – Keith Nelson, Nannie Ruiz and Krysti Cotton
Youth Pastor – Jonathan Wright
The administration, faculty and staff of Lake Butler Middle School would like to thank all of the presenters who came out to volunteer their time and services to help students begin to make decisions about how they see their future.
