On January 3, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School students returned to the high school with a sweet surprise. Students were greeted with a hot cocoa bar and doughnuts to start their first day back. Kudos to the HMS High School cooks for facilitating the donuts and hot cocoa and to the staff for their generous donations.
After this sweet treat, students were divided into groups based on their grade level. Freshmen and Sophomores met in groups of six or seven students with Community Career Professionals for approximately 10 minutes each speed round for five rounds. Those Career Professionals included P & S Electric, Spencer Hospital, New Beginnings, CFE, Savings Bank, Real Reflections, HMS Administration, Schierholz Chiropractic, Army Reserve, Jackie’s Floral Center, CFE Interior Design, Hartley Vet Clinic, Hartley Police, Tessum Farming, and Treimer’s Insurance and Realty.
During these speed rounds students participated in a question-and-answer discussion about the chosen career. Some reflection comments from students were: “They talked about their experiences and shared good insight”, “Because they actually gave a valid description of what they do”, and “I liked what they talked about and I was able to picture myself doing those jobs.”
On the other side of the gym, Juniors and Seniors were participating in speed rounds with past Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn graduates. These discussions entailed how college life was, how to prepare themselves for their next steps, and college choices. Some reflection comments from this section were as follows: “Talking to students I know and went to school with and getting their perspective of college”, “Gave good advice about going to college and picking a school”, “….she talked to us about changing majors and that you can do it. She also talked to us about her sorority and how that all works which interests me”, and “I liked what they talked about and their advice about time management.”
Then HMS staff guided students to switch to the other side of the gym where the same discussions happened with the different grade levels. The best part of the feedback was that 77.4 percent of the students stated that these activities were worth their time and that 83.1 percent said HMS High School should do something like this again.
HMS thanks the HMS alumni and the community career professionals, the HMS custodial crew, cooks, staff, and students for participating in this college and career activity.