Brian Kaufman | Times-Mail
NLCS enrichment program focuses on careers
Heltonville Elementary’s Lily Scott talks with her dad Jared Scott about her animator presentation at Needmore Elementary. Lily was one of seven North Lawrence Community School students who participated in a district-wide enrichment program Tuesday afternoon. (Brian Paul Kaufman / Times-Mail)
Among other things, Parkview Intermediate School’s Richard Bell brought authentic firefighter gear for his career presentation at Needmore Elementary School. (Brian Paul Kaufman / Times-Mail)
Jared, Ava and Lily Scott pose in front of Lily’s animator presentation at Needmore Elementary School Tuesday afternoon. (Brian Paul Kaufman / Times-Mail)
NLCS enrichment program focuses on careers
NEEDMORE — Think back to when you were a third-grader.
Did you have a career in mind?
Lily Scott does. The 8-year-old Heltonville Elementary School student wants to be an animator. Maybe even for Pixar or Disney.
Scott was one of seven North Lawrence Community Schools students who participated in a district-wide enrichment program focused on careers Tuesday afternoon at Needmore Elementary School.
Organized by NLCS High Ability Coordinator Pamela O’Connell, the event was the culmination of an ambitious research project outside of class for the students.
Each chose a career that interests them, O’Connell said. Then, they learned about the education and skills required — as well as projected salary, among other things — and presented their findings through a poster board or electronic presentation.
“The kids put a lot of work into (this),” O’Connell said. “A lot of them interviewed people who had their career and I really liked that.”
For example, Parkview Intermediate School’s Richard Bell chatted with a lieutenant from the Northern Monroe Fire Territory for his “I Want to be a Firefighter” presentation.
Among other pieces of advice Bell received from the seasoned pro to reach his goal: “Do good in school.”
Bell’s presentation included the description of a typical day in the life of a firefighter and job availability.
Not only that, but Bell also brought in authentic firefighter helmets and an old-fashioned fire alarm given to him when he toured the Cincinnati Fire Museum.
Bell said he briefly considered exploring an Air Force career for the project, but quickly came back to firefighting.
His work was rewarded as one of the top three of the day.
Shawswick Elementary’s Rachel Cummings envisions becoming a photographer. To encourage her efforts, her parents bought her a Polaroid camera and a GoPro, a unit that shoots both stills and video.
Among other photography subjects in her poster presentation: Her pet pigs and puppies. But Cummings said she’s not limited: She likes to take pictures of “everything.” And Cummings said she’s even used the Go-Pro underwater.
Although he saw Cummings’ project earlier, Shawswick Elementary Title I aide Brandon Swango stopped by after school to show support for her efforts. “I’m crossing my fingers,” Swango said.
Jared Scott, who visited Needmore after work to see his daughter’s project, said he suspects Lily’s interest in animation may have been sparked by a family visit to Disney World a few years ago. While there, Lily had the opportunity to watch a woman drawing characters. Lily also brought home a book on animation techniques.
“I’ve been drawing since I was a little kid,” Lily said.
Her first cartoon character: Mickey Mouse. “Because he is easy,” she said.
O’Connell likened the first-of-its-kind event to a science fair. “The goal is for students to begin thinking about career choices and participate in a fun, competitive event with students across the district,” she said.
“Third grade is a pivotal year in elementary school and this is a springboard for other career-oriented activities in middle and high school,” she said.
Other students who took part in the program included Needmore’s Ariana Sylvester and Caroline Sheldon, Heltonville’s Eva Sciscoe and Springville Elementary’s Ashley Williams.