Imagine taking a step into the real world before graduating from high school. The Lewis Cass High School seniors get this opportunity when they attend Senior Reality Day on May 7. Senior Reality Day is an event where senior students attend classes learning about real-life, important activities and participating in mock interviews. The students previously learned, in their English classes, how to create a resume that would be used in their interviews during Reality Day.
Lewis Cass senior English teacher, Trena Davis, is the sponsor for Reality Day. She was asked about the reasoning and planning behind the day. T. Davis replied that the purpose of the day is to give the students attending the event the opportunity to grow their knowledge in life beyond graduation. Students will get the opportunity to rotate through different courses taught and led by local experts. Some of the class topics students will attend and learn more about are financial decisions, budgeting, simple home repairs, interactions with law enforcement, insurance, and much more. Students will rotate through the courses as well as participate in mock interviews. Seniors will also be given a thirty-minute “coffee break” where they will be provided with donuts, coffee, and juice.
Senior Reality Day is an excellent opportunity for the students as they are maturing and will have opportunities to learn about real-life events in life that most people are not taught more about. Mrs. Davis was also asked what went into planning such a day. Davis said it took lots of time to plan this year’s Senior Reality Day. The event was organized by Mrs. Hines and Mrs. Davis with help from Mrs. Sonafrank, Mr. Young, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Hull. T. Davis also said a great deal of preparation was required, including securing adult volunteers from local businesses. Some of these businesses include Edward Jones, First Farmers Bank and Trust, and even Indiana University, Kokomo. There are also teacher volunteers from Lewis Cass who will be helping provide for the day as well. Mrs. Sonafrank and her Family & Consumer Science students are working diligently to provide a continental breakfast and hospitality room for the adult volunteers conducting the interviews and teaching the courses. The Lewis Cass SADD Club will assist in providing Fire Pizza for all the participants during the day. Some SADD Club members will also spend their day assisting with miscellaneous items, directing groups, running errands, and keeping direct groups of seniors to their next courses. Upper Deer Creek Church will be hosting the event, providing donuts and iced coffee for all students. UDC Church will also provide specialty coffee drinks for the adults during the day. Davis said the goal of Senior Reality Day is for students to receive advice for real-world decisions and problems they will face as adults, as well as to help students feel better prepared for job interviews as they officially enter adulthood.
To start the day, students will be bussed over to UDC upon arrival at school to start their day. Senior Pastor of Upper Deer Creek Church, Mark Davis, said he was excited to host an event like this. Mr. Davis also said this is an event that can really benefit students in their lives, as well as creating an opportunity for him and the UDC Family Pastor, Roy Lanten, opportunities to talk and become more familiar with students of Lewis Cass.
Lewis Cass senior, Kaitlyn Benner, will be attending the day and was asked about her preparation. Benner said students spent time in classes going over frequently asked questions in an interview to prepare. Students worked in small groups, working on answering possible interview questions. The next thing Kaitlyn was asked was if she had ever interviewed for a job before. Benner replied, saying she has never interviewed for a job, however, Kaitlyn is not the only senior in this position. Senior Reality Day will be a great opportunity for students to learn and gain interviewing experience. Benner was also asked, from a senior’s perspective, how this event can assist students in preparing for the upcoming real world. Miss Benner said the day helps students become more aware of what to expect in an interview, as well as in real life. It helps to prepare students for life after Lewis Cass. When asked what she hopes to gain from this experience, Kaitlyn responded, saying she hopes to learn more about how to improve her interviewing skills.
Senior Reality Day is an amazing opportunity for the seniors of Lewis Cass. It offers valuable experiences for Lewis Cass seniors, helping them prepare for real-life responsibilities and challenges as they transition into adulthood. This year’s Senior Reality Day will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at Upper Deer Creek church.
