The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY, Thursday, March 28- “I feel good energy in the room,” commented Peru Middle School Principal Jim Manchester as he observed 6th and 7th students in Peru High School gymnasium. “This is a great opportunity for students to learn about what’s in our community and potential careers.” Manchester was speaking about the 2nd annual PACE Career Fair. Site Supervisor Tracy Modlin said she expected at least 800 middle and high school students to have the opportunity to talk to about 30 local businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. 

Students were encouraged to ask questions such as, “Looking back to high school, what courses do you think would benefit your field of study?” What qualities would be most important in a candidate if you were hiring for your job?” “In your opinion, what is the best part of your career? What is the challenging part of your career?”

The business and organization representatives emanated a lot of the “good energy” Mr. Manchester mentioned. SrA Emily Sorrell, a 2015 Peru graduate, and Ssgt. Kasey Bellerive, a Plattsburgh High School graduate, represented the Vermont Air National Guard. Many of its 500 members, including Sorrell and Bellerive, live on this side of Lake Champlain. SSgt. Sorrell, a Security Force member specializing in law enforcement and light infantry, joined the Guard after completing three years at SUNY Plattsburgh. As a National Guard member, she was eligible for GI benefits, enabling her to earn her college degree.

Photographer Karli Castine said she came to answer questions about operating a small business. Standing near several of her cameras and impressive photographs, she explained, “It took me about ten years to get Karli C Photography where I want it. Now, I can work from home and set my work schedule. I enjoy it. I’m doing what I love?”

Clarkson graduates Jordan Marsh and Nathan LaValley represented the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). LaValley is a 2005 Northern Adirondack School graduate. Marsh, a native of Dickinson Center near Potsdam, participated in the SUNY Plattsburgh-Clarkson University 3-2 program. Working as a summer intern at the OGS office in Dannemora led him to go to work for the agency. OGS supervises the planning, bidding, and construction of significant state construction projects at correction facilities and projects like the Adirondack Rail Trail in the Tri-Lakes and the Frontier Town Campground in North Hudson.

Four CVPH-UVM Health Network staff members participated, including CT Technologist Brenda Sypek-Potthast, a Peru High School graduate. The CVPH’s presentation featured the many career fields the CVPH Health Network offers. CVPH employs more than 2,000 people in our region.

Saranac High School graduate Kaylyn Wood represented the Clinton County Soil and Conservation office. She enjoyed the sciences in high school, leading her to earn a two-year degree in environmental science at North Country Community College. Wood said she loves her job, especially after growing up on a small farm. Today, she works with farmers to help them comply with environmental regulations and apply for grant funding.

The Peru Gazette only had time to interview a small sampling of representatives. At least one 8th-grade student came home excited, saying, “I want to be a NYS Trooper,” while a 10th-grader said, “I want to work for Community Bank.” Hopefully, Peru’s 6-12 students had many career ideas to discuss Thursday evening at home.

PACE (PERU AFTER-SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM) is the result of a a five-year competitive grant awarded to Peru Central School for middle and high school use. The grant awards the school $350,000 annually and is geared to three primary goals.

1. Increase students’ Core academic knowledge and skills.
2. Improve key behaviors and attitudes (attendance, engagement, and aspirations).
3. Foster career-specific knowledge and skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration, and effective communication. 

It runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:15 p.m. through 4:30 p.m.

Thursday’s participating businesses and organizations included: 

Community Bank

Chimera Integrations

Mountain Lake PBS

UA Local 773 – Plumber/Pipefitters Union

Michelin

Karli C Photography

Vermont Air National Guard

NYS Office of General Services – Construction Engineers

Eagle Associates – Kitchen Sales

Casella Waste Systems

New York State Police

Johns Manville Roofing

Pine Harbor Living Facility

One Last Look – Hair Stylist

Clinton County Sheriff’s Department

CVPH-UVM Health Network

Clinton Community College

Plattsburgh City Fire Department t

United States Marine Corps

Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation

Century 21 Realty – Dianne Rock

Palmer’s Veterinary Clinic

The Strand Center For the Arts

Peru Fire Department

NYSEG Lineman

SUNY Plattsburgh

Customs and Border Detection

Miner Institute