By WESLIE STRATTON
Moapa Valley Progress
Virgin Valley High School (VVHS) students explored their post-graduation options at the Third Annual Career and College Fair held on Wednesday last week and hosted by the Mesquite Works organization.
Representatives from various continuing-education schools and local businesses pooled together to visit one-on-one with interested students. They answered questions and informed the youth about their organizations and what they have to offer.
According to Mesquite Works event coordinator Michele Stoiber, this was the third such Career and College Fair organized by Mesquite Works to take place at VVHS.
“We originally started in spring the first year that we had it,” Stoiber explained. “But that’s a little bit late [in the year] because we were gearing it toward seniors and they already need to know their plan by then. So that’s why we moved it to December.”
Mesquite Works teamed up with the College of Technical Education program at the high school to organize this opportunity. Stoiber said that nine different colleges and schools participated. New to the event this year were Evans Hair College and Taylor Andrews Cosmetology and Beauty School.
“That’s really nice because the students have asked about things like that,” Stoiber said, adding that a theater group was also participating. “It has just really been a broad mix.”
Another change this year was the inclusion of high school juniors. Stoiber said that only seniors have previously been invited to attend. But VVHS juniors, as well as juniors and seniors from Beaver Dam High School and Littlefield High Schools also attended.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity and I hope that they really take advantage of it,” Stoiber said.
VVHS senior Cynthia Bomce attended the fair and enjoyed visiting with colleges she is considering attending.
“I talked to UNR and SUU about marine biology,” she said. “Since I have to go to the ocean, I figure I’d start closer.”
Bomce said that she plans to begin her college career at a school with lower tuition prior to moving on.
Other participating organizations included Washington Federal, Mesquite Fire and Rescue, Cosmopolitan Dental, ERA Brokers, Mesquite Police Department, Mesa View Regional Hospital, and more.
