It’s never too early for students to start thinking about what they would like to be when they become adults. With this thought in mind, West Elementary counselor Emily Haston planned their annual Career Day with a little different twist.
Guest speakers started the morning speaking to students in grades three through five about their chosen career. Manufacturing professional Randy England, cosmetologist Makayla Lewis, military representative Kris Gore, forestry agent Ben Myers, nurse Melinda Wilson, dentist Megan Jones and lawyer Trevor Galligan each presented interesting programs detailing their vocations to the students and answering their questions. 
Career Day activities continued in the afternoon as the first- and second-grade students were treated to Career Day on Wheels. Students rotated to different vehicles, talking to the representatives and asking interesting questions.
Jim Hunter and Brandon Fults with Superior Walls shared information about their concrete truck and a very large crane that is used to lift walls during construction of houses and buildings.
“One student got hot, and he asked me where the water fountain was on the crane,” said Hunter.
McMinnville City Police officer Matthew Stubblefield was very patient with the children, sounding the siren for them, and explaining the purpose of the many devices in his car.
He asked if any of the children wanted to become a policeman, and was happy when several said they did.
Stubblefield followed with direct advice to the children, “Be good and learn to read and write well in school. It’s important because at my job I have to read big manuals every day.”
The students were able to walk through a Warren County ambulance, talk with firemen and Sheriff’s Department employees, and hear information from McMinnville Electric System employees, actually seeing a utility pole-climbing demonstration.
Many of the children became serious when they viewed a hearse provided by High Funeral Home.
“This is just part of our profession,” said Woody Davenport. “We did have some interesting questions and comments, but most of them know what the vehicle is for and how it is used.”
A demonstration from a side dump truck was fun for many. The $70,000 truck was provided by the Warren county Highway Department, and can dump loads either on the driver's side or at the rear of the vehicle.
Triple B Nursery displayed its tractor-trailer truck, and children were welcome to climb up in the driver's seat and try it out. This was not a new experience for first-grader Alea Martin. Her father is a truck driver and she was able to go on a trip with him to North Carolina.
Martin said of the experience, “I did like traveling in the truck and getting to see the sleeper, but I’m not sure if that’s what I want to be when I grow up.”