By Janet L. Taber, Marketing Coordinator
Pioneer Technology Center

Career Extravaganza Held in Ponca City

Approximately 800 eighth grade students participated in the “Career Extravaganza 2005” hands-on career fair held recently at the National Guard Armory in Ponca City.

The career fair featured more than 25 interactive display booths, both inside and outside the building. Activities were designed to help students explore and think about their interests and abilities in relation to future careers. Students met people from area businesses and industries who could assist them in developing the necessary skills and obtaining experience for workforce success.

Many students received “I am the future… How do you like it so far?” T-shirts from the Ponca City Development Authority. Other METS representatives included Centerline Inc., Mertz Manufacturing, Smith Tool, PCDA, Cooper Compression, Asbury Machine Corporation, and Pioneer Technology Center. Students also visited the Eagle Med booth.

The businesses who participated in the event included Kay Electric Co-Op, Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center, Kay County District Attorney Drug Enforcement, Kay County Farm Service Soil Conservation, KIXR/KGBN radio, KLVV –LOVE radio, the National Guard, Ponca City Police and Fire Department, Department of Human Services (DHS), Eagle Med, The Buckle, Northern Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pioneer Technology Center, Channel Five Weather, Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA), Manufacturing Education Training System (METS) group including PCDA, Centerline Inc., Mertz Manufacturing, Smith Tool, PCDA, Cooper Compression, Asbury Machine Corporation, and Pioneer Technology Center; the Automotive Youth Educational System (AYES) group including Blackwell Equipment Co, Bowker Ford, Pemberton Inc., Davis-Moore Auto Group, Swenson-Cannon Honda, and Pioneer Technology Center; a representative from the Oklahoma Partnership of Industry and Education (OPIE) group, and the Kay County Banker’s Association group including Eastman National Bank, Pioneer Bank and Trust, and Farmer’s Exchange Bank of Tonkawa.

Photos from Career Extravaganza

Approximately 800 eight graders from the area visited the first-ever Career Extravaganza throughout the day at the National Guard Armory. Students stood in line to do activities at many of the booths.	Paul Brown shows students some of the different parts made at Asbury Machine. Students also got to see and learn about the precision measuring tools being used at Asbury.
Charee Drapp, left, gets assistance from Kay Electric’s John Hoogendoorn on trying on the proper lineman gear and resources used by power line workers.	Many of the eighth graders got to see and experience some of the responsibilities of a firefighter. The Ponca City Fire Department spent most of the day letting students tour the new truck and ride in the bucket.