Local Teens Explore Options At College/Career Fair

By NICK YAMASHITA

Moapa Valley Progress

High school students from throughout the area were able to get a possible peak into their futures by attending a College and Career Fair held in Virgin Valley High School gymnasium on Thursday, Dec. 5.

The event started at 8:30 am with students from Moapa Valley High School and Beaver Dam High School being able to walk from booth to booth, asking questions and visiting with representatives of about 40 colleges, companies and organizations. Virgin Valley High School students participated in the event at approximately 9:30 pm after students from the other high schools had left.

The event was coordinated and planned by local workforce development nonprofit, Mesquite Works! as well as by the Career & Technical Education (CTE) program of Clark County School District. The CTE includes training programs in culinary, cabinetry, welding, automotive, agriculture, marketing, photography, web and video game design, theater tech, video production and more.

CTE College Career Center Coordinator, Lily Jensen stated purpose for the fair. “This helps the students be work ready, including having resumes ready, participating in interviews and what ever else is needed to get into a college or job,” Jensen said.

Shelley Stoiber of Mesquite Works! emphasized the fact there was no such event like this 5 years ago. “It is our 4th annual fair and we have a lot of the same colleges and companies as years before, “ Stoiber said. “But we have also added several new ones: area employers such as Walmart, Wolf Creek Golf, The Front Porch, and others. It really has expanded this year.”

Walmart representatives Suzanna Plancarte and Brennen Butterfield explained their position as “newbies” at the event. “This is fun!” Plancarte said. “We have been part of similar events but never for high school before. The kids are very receptive, and we are very happy to inform them we are an equal opportunity employer for minors. In fact, we have a goal to hire 30 minors. Now we have 18.”

Another “newbie”, Snow College’s alumni representative Meagan Allen was excited about the results of the fair. “A lot of students talk to you and really want to know more,” Allen said of the event.

Some other notable business vendors at the event included Mesquite Gaming, Eureka, Nevada State Bank, Primex, Washington Federal Bank, Mesquite Local News, Mercy Air, Mesquite Fire Department and more. As for other schooling options, there was UNLV, Mohave Community College, Dixie State,

Evans Hairstyling Academy, a couple of medical and dental schools, and more.
MVHS Principal Hal Mortenson, who sits on the Mesquite Works! Board, stated “This helps them think about their career choices.”

VVHS Principal Riley Frei, who also sits on the Mesquite Works! Board stated something similar. “This helps kids move on and move into life,” Frei said. “A few students today will have a light bulb go on telling them what they can be in life. It’s a great motivation!”

There even was an extra incentive for the MVHS students who attended. Each student was given a “passport” that must be filled up with signatures from so many of the vendors. The passports were then collected, and a drawing was done for an X-Box and Air Pods.

Principal Mortenson was very appreciative of VVHS in allowing his students to come and participate in this great opportunity. Principal

Frei was excited that they were able to have kids, colleges and businesses there at their campus. “Truly it is a great thing to see kids get excited for their future,” Frei said.

VVHS expressed thanks to all of the armed forces that were present, the local businesses, colleges and those who helped put on such a great event.