News
8th graders get 'golden ticket' at career day
March 22, 2010
After a five-year hiatus, the 8th-grade career day returned to Draper Middle School last week. Called "Passport to Your Future," the event -- which was attended by more than 240 students -- was held at Schenectady County Community College on Friday, March 19. More than 30 careers ranging from dentist to veterinarian, computer technician to crime scene investigator, were represented.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Patrick McGrath began the day with a keynote address. McGrath showed a scene from the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," in which Charlie Bucket finds a Golden Ticket inside the wrapper of a chocolate bar. He talked about how in the end, Charlie ends up owning Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and it was all because he found that ticket. McGrath talked about how he found his Golden Ticket when he was 11 years old and saw a horse race. That race made him want to be a veterinarian. One thing led to another and he eventually became a science teacher instead -- but it all started with that horse race.
McGrath told the students that Mohonasen High School is their Golden Ticket and they have to use it to their advantage to get where they want to in life.
Watch the video below to see excerpts from McGrath's keynote address.
