It Pays to Be Dairy Queen

Well, I had the "mock job interviews" with three high school students today, and they went quite well. They were well prepared with resumes and cover letters, and overall were poised and articulate. The teacher also gave me good resources in terms of suggested questions and a very useful evaluation sheet. It was rather a fun exercise, and I think I was able to give them helpful feedback in a positive way.

I was struck that the most poised young woman, and the one who was able to give the fullest, most specific answers to my questions, has participated in the Green County Ag Chest Dairy Queen program. Yes, we have them in this area, not the fast food places, but crowned queens. This is not a beauty contest, but a leadership program for young women involved with/interested in the dairy industry. Competition for the title involves essays and interviews rather than pageant walking, and the winner spends a year in visiting local events with cheese samples in hand, riding in parades, writing articles for the local papers, doing interviews with the local radio stations. It really is a crash course in organization, time management, public speaking and social skills. I wish more young women had the opportunity get this kind of leadership training.

Should be interesting, and hopefully fun

One of the high school teachers just called to see if I would participate in a "mock job interview" session that the English teacher is running. I would role play the part of an interviewer with 2-3 students, then give feedback on how they did.

I think this is an excellent project to help the students develop some real world skills, so of course I said "yes", especially as the teacher has already prepared sample questions and an evaluation sheet - so really all I have to do is show up and take part.

Of course, this probably means I had better wear "business attire" myself. Yikes! Guess I will aim for "business casual". I should be able to manage that.

Harbingers

So welcome.

If, perhaps, you want to help the recall effort in Wisconsin

And if you are unable to collect petitions or staff phone banks, it may still be possible that you would like to make a financial contribution, even a small one.

If so, the blog "This is What Democracy Looks Like in Wisconsin" has some reasoned suggestions about where that contribution might best be put to use.

One Day Longer

The state Supreme Court race is still too close to call at this point, and there's a strong possiblility it will be headed to a recount.

On the good news side, Scotty Walker's clone was resoundingly defeated in the race for Milwaukee County Executive.

Election Today

Vote JoAnne Kloppenburg for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.

Turn out will be vital. Polls are open until 8:00, and if you are in line by 8:00 you can vote.

If you don't know where to vote, you can find out here (just plug in your residence address).

If you are not already registered to vote you can do it at the polls - bring proof of residence.

You do not need photo ID to vote

Fifty Degrees Feels Glorious

It's been a long winter, but today the sun is out, the snow is gone. The flower beds are cluttered with last year's stems and leaves, but the crocus have pushed through it all and are in bloom. Heart-lifting.