Club Members Say the City Will Be in Good Hands
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The Rotary Club of Edmond hosted students from Edmond high schools during its annual Career Shadow Day. This year, 17 students toured businesses where club members work. Club members say the students made a positive impression and provided hope for the city’s future.
Rotary Club of Edmond members and students from Edmond high schools gained beneficial insight into each other, building hope for the city’s future and respect between generations.
Students from Edmond Memorial High School, Santa Fe High School and Edmond North High School participated in the club’s annual Career Shadow Day on March 6 to learn first-hand about day-to-day life in various places where members work.
Participating businesses included Edmond Public Schools Foundation, Edmond Police Department, Visit Edmond, Edmond Fire Department, Edward Jones, Edmond Public Schools Technology Department, Citizens Bank of Edmond, Keller Williams Realty Central Oklahoma, and Hyperbaric Fitness USA.
The students began the day shadowing at businesses then reported to the club about their experiences during the weekly meeting.
Whitney Randall of Citizens Bank of Edmond coordinated the project and led students through her bank to give a behind-the-scenes look.
“I was able to see how much the counselors care and want the student to get real world experience before they are thrust into figuring out life at 18,” Randall said. “The students I was able to host today asked amazing questions and are really looking forward to their futures.”
Seventeen students participated, including Edmond North junior, Sophia Badillo. Her experience literally took her to the skies when she climbed atop a fire truck ladder as it rose above the city.
“You could see so much around, and you felt like you were on top of the world at the same time. Our fire department has these capabilities. It’s really cool we are in good hands,” she said.
Badillo is interested in becoming an Air Force pilot but will have firefighting as a second option. She was impressed with a tour of firefighters’ quarters and the atmosphere in which they work.
Edmond Santa Fe High School senior, Ryan Smith, also enjoyed his first-hand look at the life of a residential realtor. He shadowed Keith May of Keller Williams Realty Central Oklahoma.
“I think if we all shadowed a real estate agent someday, I think you would see the true way to treat someone. The way that God wants us to treat people. And I think that after high school, my people skills and how I meet new people, I will be looking back at this moment,” Smith said.
Joshua Gottshall, a junior at Edmond Memorial High School, toured the school district’s technology center. He plans to study engineering.
“Anything with IT is going to be beneficial for anyone,” Gottshall said. “Engineering and technology go hand in hand in every way.”
When asked if Edmond has a good future, Randall answered, “100 percent! For them to be engaged and be asking those intellectual questions was incredible to experience,” she said.