St. Monica Catholic School students explore future careers paths

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Catholic News Agency

Converse, TX ā€“ Thanks to some generous volunteers, the second annual Career Day at St. Monica Catholic School was a huge success. Parents, as well as community volunteers, spent their valuable time talking to students and demonstrating what they do at their jobs on a daily basis.

The Mayor of Converse, Texas, Al Suarez, took time to stop by and speak to the students. He told students how valuable the school was to the community, as well as how the community serves the school. Two officers from the Converse Police Dept. including Police Chief Villegas, shared what they do at the police station, which shares a fence with the school.

Members of the San Antonio Police and Fire Departments, as well a detective from Universal City contributed to the day by sharing their role in the community. A Texas Parks and Wildlife Park Ranger and a state trooper explained how they care for the state parks and keep the roads safe in the Lone Star State.

Nurses, medical administrators, as well as an US Air Force Flight Surgeon shared their job responsibilities and what schooling was required to pursue each career field. Other military officers from the Air Force and the Navy stopped by, as well as a software engineer, whose job peaked the interest of the tech savvy St. Monica students. A veterinarian from the San Antonio Zoo, Dr. Rob Coke, volunteered for the second year in a row sharing his passion about animals.

In addition to listening to the speakers, students participated in classroom activities that helped set goals for their future careers.

Lisa Jordan, technology teacher at St. Monica Catholic School, said, ā€œItā€™s one thing to let the students research future careers online, but so much better for them to hear police officers say what it takes to do their job. Things like strength of body and strength of character are things the kids can work on right now.”

The day was part of the Catholic Schools Week activities coordinated by Lisa Ochoa. Other activities in the week included a drum line performance from St. John Paul II High School, a presentation from St. Maryā€™s University, Pastries for Parents, a door decorating contest, donation boxes for Sky Cross, a visit to a senior care center, and a school spirit day highlighting a staff-student volleyball game.

To learn more about St. Monica Catholic School, located in Converse, Texas in northeast Bexar County, visit: www.saintmonica.net/school.

Top photo: Chief, Rich Kipp, United States Air Force Flight Surgeon is pictured with students interested in aeronautics.

Middle photo: Sergeant Deon Cockrell with the Texas Department of Public Safety showed the students the features of his patrol car. He is pictured with K-2nd grade boys who want to be firemen or law enforcement officers.

Bottom photo: Dell Uhrich and Wendi Laws from Pedernales Falls State Park showed the students animal skins to demonstrate how the animals camouflage themselves. Note: No animals were harmed for their skins. They were found deceased and skins preserved for demonstration and education purposes.