Eighth-graders enter work force

Eighth-graders stepped into the shoes of police officers, bankers, insurance agents and other professionals Wednesday for the Window to the World of Work job-shadow program.

North Thurston Public Schools paired 87 students with 26 businesses for the 23rd annual event, designed to give students a first look at the world of work and connect what they learn in the classroom to real life.

"It gives them kind of an insight into what their future might be," said Jackie Crowley, North Thurston's coordinator of partnership services. The district and Lacey Chamber of Commerce coordinate the event.

Students made and hung signs at Fast Signs, sorted food at the Thurston County Food Bank, washed cars at The Wave Car Wash and toured McChord Air Force Base.

Alvin Cruz, 14, of Komachin Middle School spent the day at Lacey Police Department. He tried on a SWAT uniform, saw police rifles and sat in the polygraph chair.

"I saw stuff that I've seen on TV that they actually do. It's cooler to see it in person, though," he said.

He said he was surprised to learn police officers don't just "pick on people."

"They're not all mean punks," he said.

R.J. Dresser, 15, of Chinook Middle School also visited Lacey Police and rode with Officer Howard Thronson. He saw someone get ticketed for speeding in a school zone and went on a drug call.

He said the day was exciting because he has wanted to be a police officer since he was 5.

"I was surprised how many things they have to remember," he said.

South Sound Bank

At South Sound Bank in Lacey, Colton Chabot, 14, and Logan Woodbury, 14, both of Chinook, examined checks for fraud, counted money, toured the vault and worked at the drive-through window.

"You deal with money all day. It's fun to work with all the machines and such," Logan said.

Colton agreed that the day was fun but said he is undecided on what he wants to do when he grows up.

He said the banking skills will come in handy.

"When you get older and you start a bank account, you already know how it works," he said.

Students also interviewed employees at their job sites and assembled resumes.

Lorie Kuns, branch operations manager for South Sound Bank, said she hoped Colton and Logan got a taste of what it's like to work at a bank.

"I hope they can see that it's an important thing to enjoy your work environment," she said.