Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County School May/June 2015 | Page 8

McAdenville Elementary wins annual “Are You Smarter…” competition
The
McAdenville
Elementary-Pharr
Yarns team was
the winner of the
annual “Are You
Smarter Than a
Gaston County
Fifth Grader?”
competition held
March 19 at
Stuart W. Cramer
High School.
But all
students and
teachers in
Gaston County
Schools were
winners through
the event, which
raised $29,095
for the Gaston County Education Foundation. The Foundation will use the

money to fund the Ron L. Ensley mini-grants program that provides grants to
teachers for innovative classroom lessons and activities.
Last year, the Foundation awarded more than $50,000 in grants to
teachers at schools across the county. Grants will be presented in June for
the 2015-2016 school year.
“Are You Smarter…” has become a popular program over the past five
years. The event pairs businesses with elementary schools in a game show
format. Adults and students attempt to answer questions from third, fourth
and fifth grade state tests. Local businesses pay $1,000 to form a team and
participate with a school.
The Gaston County Education Foundation organized the competition,
which was sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and Allen Tate Realtors.
Here is a look at the award winners:
First Place: Pharr Yarns and McAdenville Elementary
Second Place: Hunter Douglas and Bessemer City Central Elementary
Third Place: CaroMont Health and Lingerfeldt Elementary
Best Theme: Tindol Ford-Subaru and Gardner Park Elementary
Best Spirit: Leadership Gaston and Woodhill Elementary
People’s Choice (tie): State Farm Insurance-Anthony Gallant and
Rhyne Elementary, and Gastonia Grizzlies/GSM Services and Pleasant Ridge
Elementary

Career Day teaches students about the future
Bessemer City students look ahead to the future during Career Day

Students at Bessemer City Middle School had an opportunity to look ahead to their future during the school’s second annual Career Day.
From an attorney to an Olympic athlete along with police officers, nurses, a park ranger, a pastor, an event planner, and an auto systems technician,
community guests from a wide range of professions spent time talking to students and encouraging them to pursue an education and set career goals.
School counselors Christy Waldvogel and Hannah Clements organized the event, which was held March 12.
“This gives students the opportunity to start getting focused on tracks for high school and what courses they’re taking,” Waldvogel said. “The community
really came together, which was nice to see. It’s the volunteers who make this day so successful.”
“Hopefully the students can set some goals for how to prepare for the future,” Clements added. “If we can expose them to career paths at this level,
they’re more likely to be successful and motivated in high school.”
All 550 students had the chance to walk through the auditorium
and ask questions of the visiting professionals. Students were given
worksheets to fill out about the careers they found most interesting.
Ashanti Roseboro, a seventh grader, said she wants to be an
obstetrician.
“Science is my favorite class,” Roseboro said, adding that she is also
interested in a career in cosmetology. “I would like a job where you can
get to know people.”
She stopped to talk to the nursing program instructors from Gaston
College, who told her to focus on math and science courses in high
school.
Angela King, chairperson for the college’s nursing program, said they
appreciate the time to meet with students during Career Day.
“It’s a great opportunity to tell them which pathway to take and to
see their excitement and interest,” King said.
Becky Smith, mayor of Bessemer City, also visited for Career Day.
“This is a part of my job I love the most, interacting with the
students,” she said, noting that a town planner, fireman and police
officers were also visiting from the City of Bessemer City, thus allowing
the students to learn how the town works while also exploring careers in
municipal government. “It’s a good learning tool for them.”
Chad Smith, a corporate chef at Blackfin in uptown Charlotte, told
students to “have respect and patience, listen to your teachers and
parents, and find out what you’re passionate about in life.”
The message got through to eighth graders James Hawkins, Austin
Bowers and Johntia Barnette. They shared what they learned at Career
Day:

n Hawkins: “Everything takes an education, and you have to be respectful to succeed.”
n Bowers: “It takes hard work and practice. You need leadership and to know how to work well with others.”
n Barnette: “You can try something new. If you’re trying to be something and it doesn’t turn out, there’s something else you can accomplish.”
6 • May/June 2015 • Parent Teacher Magazine