March 7, 2024 by Barb Edler

Students at Keokuk High School meeting to hear about having a career in the arts. Kirsten Prostman, a brand strategist is sitting to the left in the photo.

Photo taken by Barb Edler, March 6, 2024

Yesterday I was part of a Career Day Event at our local public high school. I was asked to join two other members, one a brand strategist and the other a photographer. Unfortunately, the photographer was sick. This meant that the brand strategist and I had to do the half hour or so presentation by ourselves. I haven’t talked that much for a long time. Honestly, I felt a bit sorry for the kids. There were tons of opportunities for them to share and ask questions, but the day schedule meant the students had a lot of sit and listen time. If I’m asked to give them some feedback, about the schedule, I’d suggest having some of the day be set aside for a pep rally or a dance party, etc.

I’ve debated about sharing a particular moment but perhaps against my better judgement, I decided to go ahead and bitch a bit. My apologies if this sounds too negative. The one thing that irked me was that after arriving and being given a cup with some candy and a thank you note, we headed to our assigned room. It just so happened that I arrived at the same exact time as Kirsten who was part of the Arts Pathway panel. I retired from this school in 2020. I know many staff members and teachers, but there’s been a lot of turnovers especially with administration.

Anyway, we open the door. The room looks like a bomb went off in it. Granted it is an art room and they should look like a bomb went off in it, but there was no sense of order for a group of listeners to sit and feel welcomed. I mean I didn’t feel welcomed the moment I walked through the door. I asked the teacher, who I know, and who I think is extremely lazy, about the room set-up. He shrugged his shoulders and said he didn’t know what was going on. My response was, “Brilliant!” I did not hold back that I was not exactly pleased with his lazy nonchalant response. So, I do what I do, and began taking chairs off tables that were scattered around the room and made a circle.

The day went smoothly enough but when it came to last seventh session, I was definitely ready to go. I asked the teacher if they cared if we departed a few minutes early which would alleviate the mass exit of cars backing out into streets by student drivers, the busses, etc. I am sure many of you already can visual the chaos created at the end of school exodus.

Throughout the day I was able to find out a lot about the students’ interests. I pitched our 3D printer, kiln, and an upcoming needle felting and videography class. One bonus about being a presenter was that I was able to encourage the students to bring their art and crafts to our June 29th Art in the Park festival. More importantly, I hoped I shared the importance of self-discipline and focusing on goals while not being detracted by manipulators and people who are either narcissists or “Debbie Downers”.

Overall, I survived. They survived, showed interest, and I was able to leave without incident.