Students exploring different career options was the main objective for Kingfisher High School’s recent Career Day.

The all-day event was held Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Back in November, a planning committee began organizing for the event.

The committee consisted of KHS counselors Tracy Baustert and Paula Leffingwell and six faculty members: Keirsten Bebermeyer, Aneissa Edsall, Dr. A.J. Johnson, Sabrina Nault, Carina Ponce and Melinda Rowan.

Once the details were finalized, all the students in grades 9-12 were surveyed from a list of over 100 careers divided into categories such as technology, business, education, etc.

The committee then tallied the survey results, picked the top two to three careers from each category and discussed contacts for the student choices.

“The hunt for speakers was on,” Leffingwell said.

“The committee wanted to use local speakers as much as they could.”

By mid-January, all 34 speakers were secured with only a few minor emergencies/replacements in the days leading up to the event.

Once the speakers were finalized, all KHS students were again surveyed to pick their top seven choices and each student was then given a schedule to follow during the day.

The morning began with an opening session led by Kingfisher Superintendent Dr. Daniel Craig.

Following the opening session, students then attended six 25-minute sessions to hear speakers in the careers they selected.

Speakers discussed the training needed for their career, their job description, what type of education is needed for their job and some even provided handson activities.

Lunch (provided by Opaa!) was served in the gym to all students and the day ended with a motivational speaker, Lorrie Bamford, who spoke to the students about being resilient and having courage and hope.

Following her speech, students were dismissed for the day.

“I enjoyed getting a deeper look into careers I’ve been interested in and being able to ask lots of questions about the details that are sometimes overlooked,” said one KHS student.

Added another: “I liked hearing all of the speakers talk about their careers to help me learn if I actually want to do that job. I also liked having a ‘break day’ and getting out of school early.”

“Everyone at Kingfisher High School appreciates each of these speakers spending time with our students for the day,” Leffingwell said. “The planning for the next Career Day is already in the works.”

Following are the speakers who attended the event and the career field in which they discussed (Note: Several speakers are KHS alumni):

Accountant - Baylee Durrill

Athletic trainer - Wade Sundbye

Builder/carpenter - Carl Wallace

Chiropractor - Dr. Erin Newell

Coach - Lynn Shackelford

Computer programmer - John Johnson

Cosmetologist - Angelita Ridenour

Counselor (mental health) - Laci Redwine

Cyber-security - Chad Kliewer

Daycare provider - Kris Schaefer

Dentist - Dr. Gary Suttle

Diesel mechanic - Walter O’Dell

Electrician - Dale Lewis

Entrepreneur - Zac Kannady

Farmer - Jared Yost

Fashion designer - Carli Waken

Firefighter/EMT - Kingfisher Fire Dept.

Fish and game warden - Blake Pearson

Florist - Dennis Mueggenborg

Highway patrolman - Bill Reitz, Adam Post

Lawyer - Will Blocker

Lineman (electric) - Jeff Hyatt

Mechanical engineer - Logan Nault

Meteorologist - Damien Lodes

Musician - Holly Barrow

Network engineer - Jasper Merritt

Nurse - Diane Duffy

Oil/gas production - Jimmy Alexander

OSBI agent - Stan Florence

Pharmacist - Dr. Vanessa England

Photographer - Kaitlin St. Cyr

Pilot - Craig Michael

Police officer - Chod Trout

Welder - Bill Taylor