Seventh grader Mikaela Aitkens learned ways math is applied from her mom, Michelle Aitkens, who is a payroll clerk at the Warren Town Hall. It was part of a job-shadowing program held by Kickemuit Middle School Thursday afternoon.

Kickemuit Middle School students took in the view behind a teller's window at a local bank, looked into how town hall operates, and stretched pizza dough at a local pizza place last Thursday. All told, seventh and eighth graders checked out dozens of workplaces for a glimpse into possible future careers.

This is the fifth year Kickemuit has held a Job Shadowing Day. Angie Dolan, a seventh grade guidance counselor at the school, helped organize the event with fellow guidance counselors Carolyn Davis and Sandy Smith. The event is not mandatory, but Ms. Dolan said many students decided to participate.

Zachery Aitkens, an eighth grader, and Elizabeth Cox, in seventh grade, spent most of Thursday at Citizen's Bank in Bristol, learning what types of transactions happen behind the teller's windows. The students generally pursued a personal interest.

"I'm in my advanced math class and math is really interesting to me," Elizabeth said.

At the Warren Town Hall, seventh grader Mikaela Aitkens learned ways math is applied from her mom, Michelle Aitkens, who is a payroll clerk. Students occasionally chose to shadow a relative who worked in the community.

By Cindy VanSchalkwyk

cindyv@eastbaynewspapers.com