Stavely school career expo a huge success

By Rob Vogt
The Stavely Community Centre was abuzz with activity last week as Stavely Elementary School held its first ever career expo.
The event, held on Wednesday, April 24, drew students not only from Stavely, but West Meadow Elementary School in Claresholm and A.B. Daley and J.T. Foster Schools in Nanton.
Students were able to learb from between 60 and 70 presenters.
Just some of those careers presented were nursing; accounting; engineering; health services; pilot; lawyer; musician; veterinarian; media; banker; and so much more.
Leanne Watson, principal of Stavely Elementary School, organized the event, initially planning to hold it in the school gym.
“It just got bigger than I expected,” she said. “I knew within a week I had to change venues.”
The goal of the career expo was to get students thinking about possible careers.
“It’s nice to see all the careers that are out there earlier,” Watson said.
Moreover, sometimes students don’t know what they don’t know yet, and are not aware of careers outside this area.
“It was neat to see them making connections,” Watson said.
She pointed out many of the presenters such as a news anchor, WestJet pilot and hospital manager went to school in Stavely, so students can see anything is possible.
Watson also invited community organizations such as the Stavely Elks, Royal Purple and Oddfellows to participate in the career expo so students could see where they can volunteer and give back to their community once they have started their careers.
Musician George Canyon, who ranches in the area as well, was at the career expo talking about being a musician.
“I think we need to do more of these things,” he said of the career expo. “We need purpose in life.”
Canyon noted students need to see all the things they can do out there.
“I wish I had this as a kid,” he said.
Planning is already under way for next year’s career expo.
Watson said students and presenters are already asking about it.
Until then, the first one was a rousing success.
“It was great,” Watson said. “I was really happy (with the career expo).”