Professionals from a wide range of fields visited Gravette Middle School on May 15th to share their career journeys and hands-on experiences with students. Students were offered a firsthand look at career paths in public service and community support, skilled trades and technical careers, health and human services, education and training, business and finance, agriculture and environmental sciences, transportation and logistics, and arts and creative careers.
Public Service and Community Support Careers
🏛️ Gravette's own Hope Duke, Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, talked about her role in the state government and the process of passing bills.
👮♂️ The Benton County Sheriff's Office spoke about community safety and law enforcement.
💧The City of Bentonville, Water Utility Department, demonstrated water management with VR technology.
❤️ Arkansas Department of Human Services (Child Welfare) led an activity where students worked together to untangle strings, symbolizing teamwork and problem-solving.
⚖️ Freelance Court Reporter, Natanya Riddle, demonstrated stenography speed by racing students on a keyboard.
🚑 The Gravette Fire Department gave students a tour of the emergency response equipment.
🚓 The Bentonville Police Department showed off their mobile surveillance station and bomb-defusing robot.
🚓 The Highfill Police Department discussed the role of drone technology in law enforcement.
Public Service and Community Support Careers
🔧 Built Well Construction went over safety procedures with students and allowed them to try out power tools on various surfaces.
🏗️ Baldwin Shell Construction Company - Brett Meek, a representative from one of Arkansas’s leading commercial construction firms, challenged students to build standing structures using only dry spaghetti noodles and marshmallows, emphasizing creativity and structural integrity.
💻 Heath Edwards of Walmart Global Technology showed students his cybersecurity workstation and discussed the importance of protecting digital information in today’s connected world.
🚜 Gravette's own Les Riddle shared insights into the heavy equipment industry and gave students a tour of a tow truck and a compact track loader.
🖨️ Skyline Merchandising's Lana Russell demonstrated how printing equipment works and explained how prints are applied to clothing, giving students a glimpse into the process of merchandise production.
📐 Burns & McDonnell's Will Pattengill provided an overview of civil engineering, highlighting how infrastructure projects are designed and developed to support community needs.
Business, Finance, and Professional Services
💰 First National Bank representative Sharon Grounds discussed banking services and the importance of financial literacy in everyday life.
💰 Grand Savings Bank representative Jeanette R. Westrick shared how community banks support local businesses and families through accessible financial services.
🚚 JB Hunt explained how trucking and logistics ensure that goods move efficiently across the country.
🤝 Staffmark representatives shared how recruiting and staffing practices help businesses find the right talent to succeed.
🍋 Milo’s Natasha Bull shared refreshing beverages with the kids and talked about managing large projects, highlighting how collaboration and planning drive success.
🍗 Simmons Foods representative Whitney Haley discussed how the company produces premium chicken for restaurants, pet food, and animal nutrition products.
🏡 Realtor Laura Ripsom shared insights into the real estate market and how agents help families find the right home.
🎨 Graphic designer Greg Miller showed how visual content is created for marketing and business branding.
💡 Gravette's own Seth McKinzie representing Accel Schools explained how innovative educational practices help schools adapt to modern learning needs.
Education, Health, and Community Care
🌱 Kelsey Greub from the Department of Crop, Soil, & Environmental Sciences (CSES) at the University of Arkansas discussed careers in agricultural, food, and life sciences, highlighting the importance of soil management and environmental stewardship.
💪Jackie Eichelberger Fitness Instructor of Active&Fit introduced students to health and fitness careers, emphasizing the importance of wellness and physical education.
🏥 Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care staff shared the experience working in the medical field, highlighting the skills needed to support patient care, and demonstrated wrapping injuries and performing stitching on living tissue in the form of a banana.
💐 Kim Fielding from Kimberly's Custom Creative Works demonstrated floral design techniques and discussed the creative process behind arranging flowers.
🐶 Mackenzie Overstreet of Country View Animal Care Center talked about veterinary services, sharing how animals are cared for in the clinical setting.
🕊️ Daysha Ross from Reed-Culver Funeral Home shared how memorial and funeral services support families during difficult times.
🦁 And finally, of course, our own Jeff Gravette of Gravette School District shared insights into school administration and the role of leadership in education.
Gravette Middle School’s first annual Career Day was a success thanks to the support of our community partners. Your willingness to share your time, expertise, and experiences gave our students a valuable glimpse into the many career paths they can explore.
Thank you for investing in our students’ futures and helping them see how their interests can connect to real-world opportunities. We are grateful for your partnership and support in building a brighter future for our community.