KILAUEA — More than 20 community professionals took time out of their normal routine to offer a realistic, and sometimes, hands-on experience to students about what they do for a living, Friday. Sue Saldana, the Kilauea Elementary School PCNC, coordinated
KILAUEA — More than 20 community professionals took time out of their normal routine to offer a realistic, and sometimes, hands-on experience to students about what they do for a living, Friday.
Sue Saldana, the Kilauea Elementary School PCNC, coordinated the effort during the school’s annual career day presentations where students have an opportunity to see what is involved in the many different career opportunities available to them.
Saldana got help from Debbie Erickson and Kim Wellington, the school’s PSAP aides, in making sure the presenters were properly escorted to their respective presentation areas on the campus.
Career options included a wide spectrum from Carmen Durney talking about soap making to the more traditional policeman where Kaua‘i Police Department sergeant Rod Green got help from the department’s SWAT team.
Students walking through the KPD presentation had just a brief explanation of the types of law enforcement career paths available before being able to try out the various SWAT equipment, including the protective gear and shields.
In addition to learning about careers, many students were immersed in further learning, the lavishly-illustrated agricultural displays and preserved samples drawing questions of Craig Kaneshige of the state’s Department of Agriculture, Jamie Harris of the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources and Pat Gmelin of the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee.
“This is a collaborative effort,” said Kaneshige, a longtime career day presenter at Kilauea. “We work together in the real world, too.”
Jimmy Trujillo of the Kaua‘i Beekeepers Association and the Kaua‘i Community College apiary program used a more hands-on approach, allowing students to get their hands on a transparent hive.
“I can feel it vibrating,” one student chirped, hand magnetized on the protective pane while honeybees converged under the student’s hand.
Presenters included Trujillo, Kaneshige, American Medical Response paramedic Ryan McNight who got students into a parked AMR ambulance where they could see some of the life-saving gear in action.
Robin Torquati talked about nursey operations, Michelle McNight offered cupcake decorating, Colleen Smith had students doing hands-on cake decorating, Frank Rothschild spoke about being a judge, Sparrow Fontoura was listed as an ice cream and candy maker, and Marti Kitch allowed students to share a breath with a horse during the presentation on horse trainer.
Ilima Ursomarso, a dance instructor, Bel Heredia, an OB/GYN nurse, were joined by Mark Stevens demonstrating canine search and rescue, Branch Lotspeich talking on ocean safety, Chef Sarah Mangold doing a raw foods presentation and Princeville Ranch talking about ranching.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
