Students from The Graham Academy try out dream careers in Wilkes-Barre

It’s a popular question for children: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’

Students from The Graham Academy got the chance to try out their dream careers thanks to the City of Wilkes-Barre.

“When Carol McGrane head of The Graham Academy approached me in my second year as mayor and said, it’d be a great idea to have the students you know be mayor for the day, fire chief, police chief – so we just said this is wonderful. Lets make a special day. And they really enjoy it, their families enjoy it,” said Mayor George Brown, (D) Wilkes-Barre.

The school teamed up with the city for Light It Up Blue Day bringing autism awareness to the forefront.

The kids traded the classroom for the workforce being named the honorary mayor, fire chief, police chief and city council person for the day.

Aiden Temple knew exactly what he wanted to do once he stepped into his new role: “Help the homeless people and animals.”

Josh Thomas opted for a career as a first responder, “Spending time with the fire chief because I like firefighters. I get to spend time with people cool. The fire house and the vehicles.”

Learning how his fellow firefighters keep the city and its residents safe.

“Go over the equipment with him and teach him just like any student that would come to the fire department. The fire engine pumps, we’ll let him go up and operate the area ladder a little bit and just see what the daily duties of a firefighter are,” said Chief Jay Delaney, Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department.

School officials say the program helps the kids build confidence.

“This is awesome for the kids, you know they are often stigmatized, they are told they can’t do certain things. But this event just proves that they can. A lot of these kids have been with us for a long time and from where they started to where they are now their progress is phenomenal and they really deserve to have this day,” said Corey Koons, Graham Academy Program Director.

The students wasted no time in diplomatically deciding on the next steps for the future of Wilkes-Barre.Close Ad

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