Educating tomorrow’s leaders

I had the honor of attending a Career Fair at Vian High School last week with Your TIMES ad representative Jan Herod. Jan and I are both graduates of Vian High School so we are always happy to help out our alma mater.

I think these fairs are a great opportunity for high school students to talk to someone who works in an occupation or trade that they may be considering after high school. It also gives them a glimpse of what to expect when headed for college, work or the military.

Jan and I answered lots of questions about what it’s like to work for a newspaper. I often tell others it is not like any other occupation because every day is different when you’re reporting the news. I have been doing this for almost 32 years now and I can tell you there is the good, the bad and the ugly. No one knows what each day will hold, but we take it one day at a time and to do the best we can do.

In December, I also spoke to Mrs. Charlotte Trotter’s class at Vian Public Schools about working in communications. I used that opportunity to tell the students about what I do on a daily basis and some of the most interesting and horrendous stories I have covered during my career.

They were captivated as I told them about the many murder cases, car accidents and other news items I have covered. Some of these cases are embedded in my mind and I will never forget them, while others just make a good story or experience.

Since I had their attention, I also tried to educate them about fentanyl, a drug that is killing young people every day. I told them about worst case scenarios of people who had intentionally and unintentionally ingested the drug and had overdosed or died as a result. I watched their faces as they absorbed what I was saying. I am no counselor but I think I scared some of them bad enough that they will never want to try it. So parents, you’re welcome.

In light of the Sequoyah County Livestock Show going on this week, I would also like to give a big pat on the back to our county FFA and 4H teachers/ advisors. If anyone is educating tomorrow’s leaders, it’s them. I can only do so much.