CAPNEMO’s VOICE Program Provides Interactive Career Education Event at SCR-1 Elementary

MEMPHIS, Mo.- Elementary students at Scotland County R-1 had the chance to interact with representatives from several different career areas on Thursday afternoon.  The school hosted the event which was organized by the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri, or CAPNEMO.  The program is called VOICE, and program director Dawn McVay says the event is designed to address the issues of vocational aspiration and career awareness in local elementary children.

Natalie Moore is also with CAPNEMO and she had the opportunity to be one of the career area presenters.  Her table was designed to teach students about the business sector.

McVay says it was her first year organizing the event.  She also added that the recent winter storms forced the event to be re-scheduled several times, but the event was ultimately a success.

Moore says that CAPNEMO’s goal is to teach young students what career options are out there for them.  This is especially important for children who come from economically disadvantaged families, as these career paths can be an avenue out of poverty for them as they become adults.

Scotland County R-1 Elementary Guidance Counselor Jenny Bergeson was very pleased with how the event went.  She says that the VOICE program is extremely important for her students to experience.

Each student was given a job passport card.  They rotated in groups to each of the six career presenters where they participated in an interactive 10-minute presentation.  After rotating to all six stations, students then voted for their favorite presentation.  Bergeson said there was a pretty clear favorite at the end of the day.  Dr. Larry K. Wiggins, a veterinarian here in Memphis, was present along with one of his canine companions.  They were a hit!

All of the students had a fun and interactive educational experience.  Everyone involved said they were looking forward to doing the event again next year.