Career Day inspires Libby Middle School students

(Editor's Note: This story was constructed with the help of six Libby Middle School student groups during a presentation about the impact of technology in today's media world during Career Day.)

Libby Middle School students listened as professionals discussed their jobs Thursday during Career Day.

Colby Fleury said he thought he might discover a new interest.

Fleury's classmate Ben Diller agreed. Diller's dad recently sparked the young student's interest in marine biology. His knowledge of the field is only a few months old, but he is sure that is what he wants to do. 

Kevin Barnes said it was cool that he could hear presentations from a variety of professionals. He said he enjoys learning about his career options.

Trinity Kurr thinks graphic design or something in the medical field may be her calling. She was interested in hearing presentations from CDM Smith and the Center for Asbestos Related Disease Clinic.

Madison Johnston said a presentation by a librarian sparked her interest in reading books online. Johnston said she wants to become a cosmetologist someday.

Jessika Jones said she learned about what a librarian does, including helping students find books, putting books away and keeping everything organized.

Hettie Hodgden learned that a person can get any degree they want and still become a librarian. She said she wants to become a professional artist someday.

Nathaniel Price and Laurynn Lauer both said they learned that there are different types of libraries, including those that offer books printed on paper and others that offer only electronic books and material.

Christopher Beamer said he likes to "mess around" with computers, playing games and transferring information back and forth from his X-Box to his computer.

Cerria Swagger wants to be a professional trumpet player. She has been playing the trumpet for about two years now.

Caleb Smith said he learned during The Western News' presentation that journalists often use social media networks like Twitter and Facebook to get news tips.

Jaden Rebo said she is interested in being a journalist because she likes to learn about interesting things going on in the community.

Owen Cook said he wants to become a professional football player when he grows up. He's leaning toward the position of wide receiver.

Amber Winter said she wants to become a cosmetologist when she grows up.

Zoie Spady said she wants to become an artist or a singer because she wants to do something that makes her happy.

Kaleb Lindgren said he wants to be a paleontologist. He said he has wanted to go into that field since he was about three years old. He said he was always fascinated with dinosaurs.

Buddy Doolin said he wants to become a freestyle wrestler - not a professional wrestler because "it's fake." He wants to go to the Olympics and perhaps become a wrestling coach someday.

Colten Clemons said he wants to go to college at the University of California - like Green Bay Packer's Quarterback Aaron Rodgers - and play quarterback for the Golden Bears.

Tim Lundstrom said he wants to become a professional baseball player. Right now he plays pitcher, catcher and shortstop for his Babe Ruth team. If that doesn't work out for him, he said he would like to pursue a career that involves fishing.

Linsey Walker said she wants to become a doctor. She's thinking about a specialty in cancer research. She said she hopes to learn more about a career in health care by listening to presentations by the Center for Asbestos Related Disease Clinic and Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.

Brian Peck learned on career day that local radio stations broadcast 25 miles outside of Libby.

Tim Goodman said he learned that there are no longer two types of journalism. Nowadays, broadcast journalism and print journalism are very similar due to technological advancements.

Shannon Reny said she is interested in pursuing a career in sports journalism after hearing a reporter talk about his past job as a sports writer in New York. She enjoys playing basketball and soccer.

A United States Forest Service speaker caught Jillian Hawthorne's attention by discussing smoke jumping.

Tristan Howendobler learned librarians actually have pretty fun jobs. Who knew they get to use books, Kindles and other electronics to try out?

Michael Lehnert never knew health service inspectors go through restaurants with a fine-toothed comb, checking everything from food temperature to the chemical levels in cleaning solution.

Anna Lee was interested in animal control. Lee has a German Shepard, a black lab, two cats and one guinea pig.

Sophia Lira learned about a potential reversal of a ban on pit bulls in city limits during a presentation by county animal control.

Machenna Slinkard learned people used to make tools out of hides, rocks and wood during an archeology presentation. She was also fascinated to hear people jump out of airplanes on their way to fighting fires. One day she aspires to officiate NFL games.

Brock Johnson gained a new interest in Native Americans and the materials they used.

Kristel Donahue Montoya wants to become a chiropractor to help people in natural ways. Her dad has back issues and she would like to help. She already has her eye on a college - West Palmer in California.

Isham McGhehey didn't learn much about computer engineering Thursday, but began working on electronics when he was two years old.

Noah Jones learned journalists get paid to travel around and share their stories.