Dec. 6 was not a typical day for Garden Spot Middle School (GSMS) students. The morning opened with an assembly in the school auditorium conducted by personnel from Junior Achievement of South Central PA. Following the assembly, students were divided into groups, each of which took part in several activities based on grade level. The half-day program is called YES!, and the name stands for Your Economic Success. At GSMS, the program featured four sessions for seventh-grade students and four for eighth-graders. Sessions were conducted by volunteer business leaders from the greater ELANCO community.

According to Nancy Schwabe-Fry, seventh-grade school counselor, "YES! Day is designed to provide that practical learning which is essential for the career ready development of our students." All the sessions either encourage students to start thinking about a career path or help them to learn what is necessary to move along that chosen path and succeed in life. "(The program) gives our students the opportunity to connect with community members who share their own career paths, in addition to guiding the students through activities that help prepare them for the working world," said Schwabe-Fry.

Seventh-grade students attended Am I Qualified? The session, overseen by ELANCO School District superintendent Michael Snopkowski, delved into the requirements needed for different roles such as postal employee or real estate agent. Retired para-educator Susie Beck volunteered to help in the Manufacturing session, which explored the production and distribution of roasted coffee beans. "It's (based on) a Starbucks plant in York, and they are playing a game about how (coffee) is processed," said Beck. A Career Paths session was held, and a Soft Skills session, overseen by Stephanie Good of Stoltzfus Meats, helped students learn to decipher technical skills versus soft skills.

Eighth-grade activities included a STEM Skills session, Resume Building, Interviewing Tips, and Keeping Your Balance, which examined personal finance choices. Concrete interviewing tips included instructions on having a firm handshake while making direct eye contact. Personal finance exercises gave students choices about ways to spend their income focusing on food, transportation, entertainment, clothing, and housing. Housing options included staying with parents or renting an apartment closer to work.

"We are delighted to partner with Junior Achievement in order to provide this learning experience for our seventh- and eighth- graders," said Schwabe-Fry. "Part of our responsibility as educators is to help students explore the importance of career and personal finance that will impact their lives as young adults."

More about the program may be found at http://www.jascpa.org/yes.