By Kathy Horan, Secondary Principal
Posted Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Career Day 2005
HCS students learn focus on career choices.

On Wednesday, May 18, the secondary students took time off from their normal morning schedule to participate in HCS’s first Career Day. Students attended two different seminars led by guest speakers representing a variety of professions including pastors, law enforcement, fire protection, music, sports, and the entertainment industry. The morning program was organized by Activities Director Debbie MacPherson , and students and teachers agreed that it was an informative and productive activity.

I attended the law and professional sports seminars and heard a common theme in both. Students were advised to think about what they might want to do and how they planned to achieve those goals. In addition to answering practical questions like what should I major in when I get to college; how much time will I spend doing my job; what is the best and worst aspects of doing the job, students were given general guidelines for life. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Rodriguez both parents of elementary students and former professional athletes spoke to the students about preparing for success. Mr. Thomas, who spent eight years in the NFL, stressed the importance of learning how to develop commitment, discipline, team work, drive, and a good work ethic. “Anything worth having,” he said, “is not easily obtained. Find something you are passionate about—don’t do it for the money.” Mr. Rodriguez who played major league baseball with the Mets spoke about personal responsibility. “Whose responsibility is it when you fail? Do you look at others and say ‘You didn’t teach me…You didn’t give me…You didn’t tell me…?’ Or do you ask yourself, “What could I have done better?’”

From the comments that I heard, most of the speakers encouraged the students not to focus on the material benefits of any one career. The goal should not be wealth, but rather to focus on being a better person, giving back to the community, enjoying your family, and first and foremost living a life that is pleasing to God.

HCS would like to thank all of the speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their experiences and advice with our middle school and high school students. You have made a difference in these students’ lives.
Our Guest Speakers
Julia Sieger, Ed. D. School of Education Assistant Dean at CLU, Jan Allen, Educator, Dennis Carpenter, Commander Ventura County Sheriff’s Dept., Sgt. Jim Kenney, Ventura County Sheriff’s Dept.
Speakers that are our very own Hillcrest Parents Anne Barbour, musician; Pastor Kirk DeWitt, Calvary Community Church; Pastor Steve Muzio, Church in the Canyon; Trey Mather, Warner Bros. Pictures; Mike Kunkel, Astonish Factory; Jim Glander, Paramount Pictures; Sgt. George Clock, LA City Fire; Rich Rodriquez, Professional Athlete; Chris Thomas, Professional Athlete & Financial Advisor Merrill Lynch; Dan Laubscher, CHP Officer Sgt.; Ron Lompart, Police Department; Cindy Lompart, Probation County of Ventura; Doug Hume, Attorney at Law Catanese & Wells; Mark Koorenny, Attorney at Law Koorenny & Teitelbaum.