Hempfield High School hosted a daylong event for its 2,300 high school students on Oct. 16. Called Super Wednesday, the day consisted of speakers, presentations, career exploration opportunities, group activities, and PSAT/NMSQT testing. The overarching goal of this day was to better familiarize students with various career options to help them identify a pathway to success.
In the morning, freshman, sophomore, and junior students listened to keynote speaker Dan Jurman, the CEO of Lancaster County's Community Action Partnership. He shared his story of success and gave students the advice that, in tough times, they should find people they can lean on, do something they love, and work for something bigger than themselves.
Afterward, the students broke into grade-level groups. Hempfield's freshmen headed into an escape room-style breakout activity themed around the value of a Hempfield diploma and the importance of becoming involved in extracurricular activities. Students were engaged in learning about the college search process, the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC), military careers, athletics, extracurriculars, the school's course selection guide to explore postsecondary pathways, and more.
Sophomores visited various classrooms set up with speakers who presented about their chosen career path and answered questions about their specific profession. Speakers included representatives from the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office and Atomic Design, WGAL News 8 news anchor Shannon Murphy, a professional disc jockey, an electrician, a physical therapist, a college professor, a labor and delivery nurse, a welder, and a social worker.
Juniors reported to classrooms to participate in PSAT/NMSQT testing to help them identify what they have learned in high school and what they will need to succeed in postsecondary education, should they select this pathway. Additionally, the PSAT/NMSQT test is used for a variety of recognition programs, including eligibility for potential scholarships.
Seniors were given many opportunities to address their own specific college or career needs. They chose from the following options: career shadowing, postsecondary school visits, community service, military recruiter visitation, and participation in a college application workshop or in a career exploration session with guidance provided by school counselors and teachers.
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