Counselor Meghann Lambeth and Local Professionals Ensure Success of Ellerbe Middle School Career Day

ELLERBE – This past Thursday, April 12th was the date of Ellerbe Middle School’s third Career Day Job Fair, and if its degree of success can be considered a harbinger of things to come, the future of Richmond County is in good hands.

Under the superb guidance and efficient coordination of Meghann Lambeth, school counselor for both EMS and Mineral Springs Elementary, her co-worker Bonnie Yarbrough, Principal Melvin Ingram and others, the EMS Career Day has become the stuff of legend in Ellerbe, as was noted by Senator Tom McInnis at the beginning of the event. 

Representatives of the Richmond County Board of Education and the School Administration Office demonstrated their support of the program by attending.  Bobby Sue Ormsby and Dr. Irene Aiken of the former and Dr. Wendy Kelly Jordan and Dr. Pam Patterson of the latter were enthusiastic as to how well the event has been orchestrated under the stewardship of Ms. Lambeth and the EMS personnel. 

As the only counselor in the Richmond County system assigned to more than one school, Ms. Lambeth is witness to the development and academic progress of over 400 students on a daily basis.  But Meghann does far more than just observe; she is a driving force unto herself. 

“We have no idea how she does all of what you see here,” said a co-worker who wished to remain anonymous, “but if it weren’t for Meghann, none of this would have ever happened to begin with.”  

Indeed, “this” constitutes a full morning (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) dedicated to enlightening and educating middle school students as to the multitude of opportunities and possible professional paths that are ultimately available to them as they progress through their educational and vocational endeavors. 

“We hope it offers some realism and understanding to the students,” says Meghann.  “We are especially proud of the fact that most of these professionals have roots right here in Ellerbe or Richmond County.”  She goes on to say that “With the speakers coming in – we have 23 here today – and giving their time to the kids, the value of that experience cannot be measured.” 

Well, guess what, Meghann – yes, it can, and the verdict is in:  you guys did VERY well!  A casual solicitation of comments from students as they briskly (but in a quite orderly fashion) moved from one session site to another yielded responses that, quite frankly, were more than surprising in regard to the zeal and enthusiasm that exuded from the youngsters. 

“Oh, it’s great!” said 7th grader Haylee Johnson.  “We don’t really know yet what we want to do when we grow up, so this shows us some of the options that we have.”  

Ms. Johnson’s perspective was replicated by fellow student Hunter Powell.  “I particularly liked talking with the Highway Patrol – that was cool!”  “They showed us what they do on a daily basis and what they watch for to keep the roads safe.” 

The Highway Patrol, replete with two cruisers and troopers Wesley Maynor and Tiffany Ratliff, was indeed one of the more popular “attractions” (and yes, that term would indeed seem quite appropriate, given the excitement level of the students as they moved between classroom sites to attend their next scheduled presentation).  But many other equally interesting professions (e.g., architecture, veterinary medicine, education, nursing, etc.) were well represented. 

That is because Meghann Lambeth leaves little, if anything, to chance.  Although she was too modest to mention it herself, Meghann’s coworkers (and students) were quick to credit her with performing the multitude of tedious and time-consuming tasks that an undertaking of this magnitude entails. 

“She calls all of the speakers, often several times, to ensure their commitment to attend.  Then she coordinates the classroom set-ups and schedules all of the students – EMS has 240 – to attend three sessions of their choice.  Meghann makes sure that all of this runs smoothly and efficiently,” says Kristen Truett, herself a counselor at Rockingham Middle School. 

Ms. Truett was especially interested in Meghann’s usage of individual surveys and questionnaires that each student is required to complete.  While observing the EMS orchestration with the idea of expanding the concept to her own school (RMS) in the near future, Kristen noted this to be an excellent method of ensuring engagement and focus for the youngsters.  The students are held accountable for responding to no less than eight questions for each of the three sessions that they attend, plus a general “personal reflection” as to what they learned and which sessions were enjoyed the most. 

Perhaps in the years to come these current middle schoolers will indeed remember the value of this Career Day event to the point where they themselves will return as speakers in a professional capacity, thereby helping to perpetuate the learning cycle initiated by Meghann Lambeth right here at Ellerbe Middle School.

                                                   Presenters at the Ellerbe Middle School Career Day