CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- Students at Cumberland Heights Elementary had the opportunity to begin celebrating Labor Day a little early this year.
Special guests from across the region visited the school for a very exciting career day. The organizers were intentional with selecting the Friday before Labor Day weekend for the event.
According to Haley Ross, Cumberland Heights physical education teacher and the career day coordinator, “We are excited that our students are able to explore all of these different career opportunities. That’s our job, to get them career ready and college ready, and this is a real-world connection for them.”
The morning began with the whole student body in the gymnasium to greet the first guests of the day, Lilly the skunk, Mango the blue and gold macaw, and Wilbur the bearcat. Anna Currie from the Nashville Zoo’s Wildlife on Wheels program brought these amazing creatures to Cumberland Heights with a few important messages.
“How do you use math, science, and reading in your job?” and “Does the Nashville Zoo have any pangolins?” were just a few of the great questions students asked Anna. The day continued with more demonstrations and even more great questions as students rotated around the building and outside to visit the other guests’ exhibits.
Other career day exhibits included, meteorologist Lisa Spencer and Snowbird of WSMV Channel 4; Hilltop’s cake decorator; CEMC’s safety demonstration; TWRA Wildlife Officer Jereme Odom; watchmaker Aaron Schmidt from “It’s Time;” artist Kell Black from APSU; the K-9 Unit from the Sheriff’s Department; Mayor Kim McMillan; Clarksville Pediatric Dentistry; Robin Moore with “Millee,” and Theresa Dabbs and Butch McCurdy with “Tucker” the search and rescue dogs of Cumberland K-9 SAR; florist Tom Wise of Bella Flora; US Army representatives from 21st BEB 3 BCT 101st ABN DIV; Serve Pro; Montgomery County EMS; Palmyra Fire and Rescue; Clarksville Police Department; Clarksville Gas & Water; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad; Dairy Queen; and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.