Paladin

Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: News

Media Credit: chris rendon

Bike stunts were the highlight of the Caminata celebration as 350 elementary students finished the tour at the PCC on Tuesday, March 18.

Four nearby elementary schools, Whittier, Alvarado, Butler and Holmes, participated in the walk to and from the college. Former PCC Provost Pauline Merry founded the Caminata, which means "a tiny walk to journey," said PCC student activities adviser Derek Oriee.

Whittier teacher Anita Gomez said, "It's a great event because it helps them to learn about future careers they can have and opens up their eyes to what's available to them and helps them to set goals for their future."

Gomez added, "They're having a great time. They love seeing the cars, the motors and seeing the construction sites that the students are working on."

The fourth-graders laughed and walked with police officers, teachers, students and firefighters as they learned about the 15 job stations at the college, including the welding, auto body, carpentry, child development and horticulture departments.

Student volunteer Jimmy Lanh said about the children: "They're all very unexpected. They're asking a lot of questions and now we're a little behind schedule because of the questions that are being asked and the teachers being caught up in answering it."

Each child took home a bag filled with a book and other school supplies. They ended the tour with some entertainment from BMX rider Robert Castillo.

Teacher assistant Cassidy Levitus, "I think it's great for these kids to walk down the neighborhood and see that all the great opportunities are out there."

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