Students from Clear Fork’s Tech Team, multimedia class, and the Future Career and Community Leaders of America learned recently there’s more to the Cleveland Cavaliers than LeBron James.
The local students took part in the Cleveland Cavs Career Day on Dec. 11. They saw behind-the-scenes moments at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavs’ home court.
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“It gave me a new perspective on how they sell the game,” said Sarah Beal, a senior in the multimedia and FCCLA classes. “The reality is (the game’s) an event and a job.”
Multimedia teacher Tami Vaughn and FCCLA teacher Jennifer Klaus took 41 students and chaperones to the career day. The event included talks and presentations from Mike Ondrejko, vice president of sales and service; Campy Russell, director of alumni relations; David Poirier, executive chef; Tracy Marek, senior vice president of marketing; Amanda Greco, director of game presentation; and Tad Carper, senior vice president for communications.
“Each of these people discussed career options in their areas,” Vaughn said. “The importance of writing and communication skills was stressed. Students were also encouraged to read. They suggested by having these skills, it makes a person more employable.”
Garrett Shaffnei, a senior in the FCCLA class, attended his first Cavs game after career day. He watched the Cavs beat the Indiana Pacers.
“It was a great experience. It was more than I expected,” the 17-year-old said. “They had an awesome light show at the beginning of the game, and it was good to see the Cavs in person.”
Shaffnei said it’s important for schools to have career days.
“I just now decided that I am going to MedCentral College of Nursing after I graduate,” he said. “If I hadn’t decided already, then maybe I would have went into a different field. (The career day) really helps out.”
Keith Chapman, a senior in the FCCLA class, said he learned a lot from the preparation that goes into a game.
“There’s so much that you don’t see,” he said. “The chef’s job was neat. They have to cook a lot of food for a lot of people. They also have to be ready for a lot of people or not a lot of people.”
Klaus said this is the second year the Cavs have had a career day. She plans to go in future years because of the positive response by students.
“The presentations grabbed the students’ attention,” she said.
Chapman, 18, said the class got to shoot a free throw on the court where James plays. He described the shot as “really intense.
Source:Â The News Journal