BIDDEFORD — Students at Biddeford Intermediate School took some time off from spelling tests and math lessons to learn about possible career paths on Wednesday morning.

The school offered an array of interesting guests who gave Career Day presentations and discussed their own career choices with students in half-hour segments, giving students food for thought about what could lie ahead for them in the future.

Working professionals speaking with students during the event included a geologist, a U.S. Secret Service agent, a high school principal, a master gardener, a nurse, a police officer, a York County Commissioner, a chef, a musician, an artist, a college anatomy professor, a business owner and a fashion designer.

Fourth-grader Alexis Matthewson said Career Day reinforced her desire to do something outdoors with plants when she grows up.

“It’s been my dream since I was little to become a gardener,” Matthewson said. “My dream job has always been to be able to work with plants all the time.”

She said because of her interest in plants, she enjoyed visiting with the master gardener on Career Day at the school.

“I even got to take home a plant from that presentation,” Matthewson said. “This was really a blast.”

Laurelei Kebokere, also a fourth-grader, said she enjoyed the nursing presentation.

“It was interesting to learn about what nurses do every day,” she said.

Kebokere, who wants to be a professional boxer when she’s older, said she also liked sitting in on the presentation with an animal portrait artist.

“I’m just learning how to draw and paint, so for me that one was pretty fascinating,” she said.

District 3 York County Commissioner Cynthia Chadwick-Granger spoke with students about her 25-year career as a real estate professional and as a weddng planner, and also talked of the importance of volunteering.

“I want these children to follow their dreams and never give up,” Chadwick-Granger said. “I believe that if you have a passion for something, you have to go for it.”

Chadwick-Granger told the students that confidence can move mountains when it comes to choosing a career.

“We hear a lot of no in life, but that shouldn’t stop us,” she said. “If you believe in yourself, you can do it and accomplish whatever you want in life.”

She said the opportunities for students to make a difference in their community can happen when they volununteer.

“It can be something that helps someone and as simple as volunteering to work in the school library,” Chadwick-Granger said. “Every minute spent volunteering matters.”    

Fourth-grader Connor Colomb said he was drawn to the presentation by the Secret Service agent and wasn’t disappointed when it was over.

“He talked about how the Secret Service was created and the two main missions of the Secret Service,” Colomb said. “I want to be a professional football player and make it to the NFL when I’m older, but meeting a Secret Service agent was really interesting and gives me something to think about in the future.”

Fourth-grade teacher Lori Flynn gathered her students following the Career Day presentations and reviewed with them why exploring potential career choices early can help solidify decision-making as they get older.

Flynn told her students that there are many options available and that the purpose of Career Day is for students to find out more information about career fields they may not have previously considered.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.