Military drone operators, police officers, horse handlers, businesspeople and a miniature talking bus brought a wide range of experiences, skills and stories to Meadows Elementary School during Career Day.
The elementary school at the edge of Fort Hood’s east gate has hosted large-scale career days for many years, always leaning into its military connection.
This year’s thick cloud cover and wet forecast limited some of the scheduled attractions, but the soldiers came through, adapting to the changing mission on the ground.
Air Cavalry Brigade soldiers might have brought the favorite display with drones that flew across the gym floor. Students even got a chance to take the remote control.
Some students, like fifth-grader Sean McCade, were accustomed to the military’s impressive inventory. He and his siblings have their own drones.
He did acknowledge, “the barrel roles were pretty cool.”
The law enforcement presenters like the military police officers with their vehicle and other tools were also worthwhile, he said.
“It’s one of the best days. Not as good as field day and party days, but it’s really fun,” the straightforward McCade said.
At the other end of the elementary age range, pre-kindergarten students loved entering discussion with “Buster the Bus,” KISD’s miniature remote-controlled talking bus.
While sharing safety information like wearing seatbelts and standing back from approaching vehicles, Buster also shared his own career dreams – to be a racecar driver, an aspiration he abandoned since he’s so small and slow.
Still, he said, teaching students is pretty great, and Buster can still “bust a move,” which he demonstrated by dancing with students.
Fourth-grader London Espinoza summed up Career Day, explaining that it’s a great time for students to learn interesting facts and see up close what people do for work.
“It’s very interesting because people can learn more about you and what you want to do in life,” she said. “I get to learn what people do and understand their jobs.”
She was intrigued with the law enforcement presentations and aspects of government.
Personally, she hopes to be an action film star like John Wick.
Photos: www.killeenisd.org/photos
Fifth-grade teacher Christie Miller was one of several teachers who confirmed that Career Day is a welcomed day of fun and learning for students who recently completed state testing and are a week from summer break.
Career discussions are part of the fifth-grade curriculum, so her students are used to talking about the wide variety of jobs.
“It’s a fun day,” the teacher said. “We all need that.”