ABC Iowa Awards JMS Student with Career Day Prize

(L to R): Mr. Huebbe, Braeden Gierstorf and ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship Coordinator, Meghan Minar with Braeden’s Career Day prize. (photo from ABC Iowa)

Johnston Middle School ninth grader Braeden Gierstorf got a surprise during his Thursday morning Small Engines class.

Just a few weeks ago, Gierstorf, along with 300 other teens from across Iowa, attended the Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa Craft Championships and Career Day. The day features competitions between fourth-year apprentices in the area of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal, while exposing high school students to the variety of careers within these fields. Some high schools also elect to send teams of students to compete in carpentry, electrical, and welding competitions.

As part of the Career Day portion, students could participate in a scavenger hunt, completing 10 different hands-on learning opportunities at 20-some booths. Once a student finished all aspects of the scavenger hunt, they submitted their names for a prize drawing.

Gierstorf completed the scavenger hunt and won a Milwaukee Tool Wireless Jobsite Speaker. Meghan Minar, ABC Iowa Apprenticeship Coordinator, presented Gierstorf with the grand prize during class.

JMS industrial technology teacher Joe Hubbe said exposing students to the variety of careers in the labor industry, such as welding, electrical, and carpentry can help them explore their interests at a younger age and prepare them for future coursework and career choices.