KILAUEA — Interaction is the most effective way of getting the message across, said baker Colleen Smith during Kilauea School’s career day Friday. Smith put her words into practice, engaging three classes of students in decorating mini cupcakes she created
KILAUEA — Interaction is the most effective way of getting the message across, said baker Colleen Smith during Kilauea School’s career day Friday.
Smith put her words into practice, engaging three classes of students in decorating mini cupcakes she created for the event.
Smith was one of about two dozen professionals from the community who took time out of their day to discuss careers with the students.
The interaction was carried to another level, as students crawled through the cab of a heavy equipment dumptruck and a front-loader, squealing in delight at the deep blaring of the equipments’ horns.
Horse trainer Mardi Kitch brought two horses, the size of which kept her young students at a distance.
Shelley Paik of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative said this is at least the third year they’ve brought their Renewable Trailer to the school to discuss career options and educate the students on renewable sources of energy.
Similarly, Jean Souza, the Kaua‘i coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, discussed the wide variety of careers available in the sanctuary and its related activities.
With her display limited to a model of a whale and a satellite tracker used to track entangled whales, Souza relied on a video about freeing whales to capture the interest of her students.
Sue Saldana, the school’s PCNC, coordinated the event which had presenters working through three classes of students.
Some of the community presenters included tree trimmer Mick McCann, jewelry maker Kahelena Wallace, Mele Brewer of the Kaua‘i Humane Society, tilesetter Terry Schlaht, heavy equipment operator Garett Yardly, bicycle specialist Bruce Orth, park ranger Jen Waipa, Judge Frank Rothschild, dentist Ileana Carreno, digital imaging and web design artist Robert Ellis, pharmacist and artist Sheree Latif, and firefighter Tim Terrazas.
Representatives of the Kaua‘i Mini Golf, the Department of Agriculture, Princeville Ranch Adventures and Kaua‘i Police Department’s S.W.A.T. and canine units also made presentations.
