CHS’s annual Career Day was presented by SkillsUSA and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) on Friday, Dec. 8. Students explored careers from many industries and listened to  keynote speaker Chelsea Whittemore at the end of the day. Two of the speakers, including Whittemore, graduated from CHS themselves.

SkillsUSA and NTHS members were required to contact professionals to speak about their respective careers. In total, 16 speakers participated.

For six sessions, students attended smaller presentations of their choice. Afterwards, the school gathered in the cafeteria to hear from the keynote speaker.

The event showcased a wide variety of professions, including design, fashion, politics, business and writing.

SkillsUSA adviser and math teacher Scott Stengele says that Career Day is important for students to participate in.

“I think an event like this is just really important for kids to be able to go into a classroom where someone is going to be able to answer questions about what might they want to do with their life in the future,” Stengele said.

For the first time, SkillsUSA turned Career Day into a fundraiser. They introduced sponsorships, where local businesses donated to be featured in the program among other benefits. The event raised $1,250, said SkillsUSA president and senior Emma Wilenta of Wall. The money will be used to help finance the club’s upcoming state competitions.

SkillsUSA began planning Career Day months before the actual event, Wilenta said.

“The most challenging part was staying on top of all of our members during the process of getting speakers and sponsors, because the event wouldn’t work without either of those things,” Wilenta said.

Career day ended with keynote speaker and CHS alumna Chelsea Whittemore, a producer for the FOX Business show “Kennedy.”

“I took the same classes as you, I walked the same hallways as you, and I learned from some of the same teachers as you,” Whittemore said. “So this is really special for me to be here to speak to you all today.”

At the end of her speech, Whittemore left students with advice for the future.

“Your success will be determined by how you see yourself and how others see you. But more importantly, your success will be determined by how you apply yourself, and how hard you work. I have no doubt all of you will shine in your own way, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish along the way.”