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Liberty High Students and Local Business Professionals Working Together
Friday March 17th 2006 marked the first ever Mock Interviews at Liberty High School. SLC Facilitator, and SGA Advisor Catherine (Nora) Murray organized and lead the event. Everything ran like a well oiled machine. What appeared to be hundreds of eleventh grade Juniors were participated as candidates in job interviews with local area leaders. Students armed with their resume, a portfolio, proper business attire and an attitude of success were interviewed by local area leaders representing an assortment of businesses. Bayer (pharmaceuticals), Advantage Internet Marketing (web development), John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (research and development), the US Navy (military), Raloid Corporation (aerospace and defense contractor), and Mudget’s Auto Body (automotive restoration) were among the many businesses that participated. Students
looked their interviewer squarely in the eye, We spoke to several companies and asked how they thought the students performed. There was an overwhelming favorable response to the event. It is exciting to see the high school prepare students in a real world environment. Nora Murray commented that the early feedback suggests the event was a success and she hopes this will be an annual event. Students and area business leaders offered an overwhelming positive response stating it would be great if the business leaders could spend more time with the students and get deeper into the interviews. As a participant, I have to offer a few comments. If anyone doubts the future of this country is in good hands, they need only participate in an event like this one at Liberty High School. What a terrific bunch of students. You can’t help but walk away with a positive feeling about these students. The Administration and Staff of Liberty High School were clearly proud of the students. Administrators including principal Florence Oliver participated and observed. The media most often focuses on the negative aspects of youth and they are quick to find fault in the public school system here in Carroll County. Sitting with the students, participating as a business person it was most thrilling to see the pride in the faces of Florence Oliver (principal), Thomas Clowse (vice principal), Dwayne Piper (vice principal), Nora Murray (SGA Advisor) and several of the administrators and teachers who were obviously proud of the students. Students arrived nervous, participated with caution, sighed with relieve and finally glowed with pride after receiving feedback from local business people. It was much like watching flowers bloom on time lapsed photography. If you happen to see the administrators or teachers from Liberty High soon, pass along this short message… Well Done !
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Intelligent,
professional and pleasant are some of the words used by local business
people to describe their mock job candidates at Liberty High School.
Many students were nervous with excitement sometimes to the point
where their voices and hands were shaking. Even a case of laryngitis
couldn’t keep one future pediatrician away. 
smiled
and introduced themselves with a firm handshake signaling the start
of the interview. Candidates were interviewed and critiqued in an
effort to expose them to “real world” scenarios (if
you excuse the 50 other interviews occurring at the same time).
Questions were left up to the interviewer so as to provide a realistic
experience. Students had to think quickly on their feet and offer
business appropriate responses detailing what made them different,
unique and more attractive to potential employers. Following each
interview, candidates were provided feedback and tips on how to
respond to particular situations.
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