West NY News

The Allegany Highway Barn team recently engaged with second graders at Allegany-Limestone Elementary School during a Job Expo. The event was designed to complement a class story about a young girl seeking summer employment. The objective was to provide students with real-life job insights and expose them to diverse professions.

Tom Henderson, Assistant Road Section Supervisor, Jeremy Crowley, Commercial Driver Class A, and Tyler Barber, Laborer II, shared their professional experiences with the students. They discussed their daily responsibilities and demonstrated the workings of a plow truck while answering student questions.

Mrs. Miller, a second-grade teacher at the school, commented on the event: "Our students loved getting to hear from the guys on their daily routines at work, what the pros and cons are, what 'gear' they use daily, the training they have had, and their favorite parts of the job. The students responded very well to the guys and LOVED that they were able to bring a plow."

She further described how one student was particularly thrilled when given the chance to climb into the truck with Jeremy Crowley: "When he was told he could blow the horn, he told me, 'this is the best day of my life!'"

Mrs. Miller emphasized that such exposure could inspire future careers: "Maybe we opened the door to a few possible future Catt. Co. DPW workers! Look for them in 10 years as your next summer workers!"

For schools or organizations interested in hosting similar presentations by staff from Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works (DPW), contact can be made via phone at (716) 938-9121.

Permission for student photos featured in this article was granted by Allegany-Limestone Elementary School District.