Caroline County high school sophomores and student mentors attended a career exploration fair on November 19 at the Fretterd Community Center in Denton.
Sponsored by Denton Rotary in partnership with Caroline County Public Schools, the event brought together students from both Colonel Richardson and North Caroline high schools to meet with local business representatives, attend workshops, and hear from speakers. With the exception of a temporary break due to the COVID pandemic, Denton Rotary has been providing this yearly event to 10th grade students since 2013.
Rotarian and event organizer Sue Simmons, along with Superintendent of School and fellow rotarian Derek L. Simmons, welcomed students to the fair. Dr. Simmons encouraged students to take advance of the time to “learn, ask questions, and allow yourself to see what can be a great future for you.”
Marnie Stockman, Ed.D., led a workshop and gave the afternoon keynote based on her newest book, The Business of YOU, which introduces a new way of thinking about career and leadership. Ms. Stockman began her career as a high school math teacher in Caroline County. Her passion for education and using data and humor to help others grow and succeed took her from the classroom to Sr. Director of Customer Success of a leading Ed Tech company, and now to Co-Founder and former CEO of Lifecycle Insights.
Among the table mentors leading discussion with students was: Jason Bruns, Kristie English, Will Fox, Stacy Gardner, Desiree Jefferson, Adam Jones, Sammie Mooney, Derek Nepert, Val Prochaska, Victor Reynolds, Tolbert Rowe, and David Welch.
Exhibitors on hand to discuss their businesses with the students were:
Channel Markers
Hay Jay Acres Farming
MidAtlantic Organic Resource Company
Shore Films
Maryland State Parks
Horizon Farm Credit
Choptank Community Health
Caroline County Sheriff's Department
Burke & Herbert Bank
Rosendale Realty
Betty's Boutique
ASG Accounting
Lunberg Builders
For All Seasons
Mid Shore Technology Services
CTS Combined Technology Solutions
BDK, Inc.
Delmarva Shorebirds
Choptank Electric
Caroline County Public Library
Bennie Smith Funeral Home
Caroline Humane Society
Shore Rivers, Inc.
ADEX Electric
Legal Aide
Maryland Environmental Service
Businesses/organizations sponsoring the fair were:
Presenting sponsor: Smiles by Higgins and Holsinger
Workshop Sponsor: Caroline Education Foundation
Equipment Sponsor: Caroline Economic Development and Tourism
Food sponsors: Charlie Huber and State Farm Insurance; Burke and Herbert Bank; Shore United Bank
Table Sponsors: Bay Capital Mortgage; WIN Transport; For All Seasons; Kent Island Rotary Club; Mid Shore Computing; Chesapeake Culinary Center; 4 Shore Tents and Party Rentals
All event photos may be viewed on the Caroline Flickr page.