The morning group of volunteers visiting W-WES for Career Day included (front row, l-r) James Trimm, Carol McTier, Nora Dukes, (back) David Wilson, Tim Wright, Rick Callaway, Matt Morton, and Jason Crook. Students at Washington-Wilkes Elementary School enjoyed Career Day on April 27 when nearly 30 guests attended from local companies and private businesses to discuss their career choices and give students valuable information on the availability of different job opportunities.

The speakers' topics included what they did on their job, the educational requirements, the enjoyment they receive from their job, what influenced them to choose their career, and if any, what major career changes they had experienced in their lives.

As a way to kick off Career Day, members of the fifth grade group S.L.A.M. (Student Leaders Are Mentors) created posters for school halls to remind students of the big day. Students in Tonya Morgan's computer lab created PowerPoint presentations that highlighted their favorite careers. These PowerPoint presentations ran throughout the day on the lobby television through TEAM T.V.

Representing the Young Farmers at Career Day were (at back, left to right) Rick Smith, Eric Holton, Rory Richardson, and Kyle Brown. Then, as the Career Day presenters arrived at the school, more fifth grade students were on hand to greet and escort everyone to their assigned areas. The volunteers were also invited to a luncheon held in their honor in the conference room where they were presented with flowers in pots with a note that said, "Thank you for planting seeds to the future." Debra Harper, school counselor, and the S.L.A.M. members created these gifts as a token of their appreciation.

Many of the students and faculty at W-WES dressed up as characters depicting their favorite career choice. Furthermore, each homeroom teacher was given a paper bag which they decorated to look like a briefcase. They took the briefcases to each session to collect items the presenters brought.

Career Day was so successful that Harper now intends to make it an annual event. The following businesses, companies, and individuals were presenters at Career Day: Washington Fire Department - Tim Wright and David Wilson; Pioneer - Rick Callaway and Matt Morton; Purple Palette - Mr. and Mrs. James Trimm; The Garden Party - Carol McTier; Wilkes Telphone Company - Billy Caddell and Jason Crook; Washington Police Department - Captain Theodosia Glenn, Lieutenant Robert Roca, Lieutenant Joe Nelson, and Officer Tanksley; Young Farmers - Eric Holton, Kyle Brown, Rory Richardson, and Rick Smith; Wilkes County EMS - Director Blake Thompson, EMT REN Fran Fortson, and Officer Jennings; E-Clips - Paula Stevens and

Paula Stevens (right) and Mahlory Waller of E-Clips were some of the visitors at the W-WES Career Day last Thursday. Mahlory Waller; Rayle EMC - Jeff Paul, Larry Chapman, and Tony Griffin; Heather Hammond (photography); and Nora Dukes (musician).