Local Head-Start gets a One-of-a-kind Career Day

Photo By Lt. Col. Ruth Castro | Mr. Hector Ortiz, Director of the “Museo Francisco Pancho Coimbre” in Ponce focused on the importance of sports and mentioned a few local athletes that have been successful throughout the years to students from El Tuque Head-Start during a career day activity hosted on Fort Allen October, 11th.  

PUERTO RICO

10.16.2016

Story by Maj. Ruth Castro 

1st Mission Support Command

FORT ALLEN, Juana Diaz – Three classes from El Tuque Head-Start began their day with a short field trip to Fort Allen for a one-of-a-kind career day on October 11.

Once there, Police Officers, Firefighters, and Soldiers greeted the children from the Ponce Head-Start. As an active volunteer at her daughter’s school, Sgt. Suecirin Colon, 613th Military Police Detention Company (MP Co.), went above and beyond when El Tuque Head Start asked her to participate in their career day.

“They invited me to help out, and I got carried away,” said Colon. “I wanted to make sure the children could see lots of things so I invited the Police Department, Fire Department, the Mayor’s Office and anyone else I could think of.”

Last year, the 613th MP Co. had the opportunity to participate in an event held at El Tuque Head-start and show off their vehicles in recognition of Federal Day. The parking lot area is quite restricted so, to avoid a shortage of space and be able to invite more agencies, Colon went above and beyond to organize the event on base.

“I coordinated for them to come visit us on the base,” said Colon. “This allowed the children and their parents to experience a one of a kind career day. I believe this was a great event for local community members to see how the military works and get a better understanding of how important our jobs are.”
For the commander of the 613th MP CO., this was an opportunity that he did not want to miss. “I grew up in a community likes these children here in Puerto Rico,” said. Perez “If I had the opportunity to participate in a career day like the one we put together at their age, it would have been life changing.” Perez was born and raised in Guayama Puerto Rico.

“There were about 50 children from El Tuque Head-Start that showed up to our event,” he continued. “When I saw the children and the happiness on their faces, it made me feel great. I want to continue working with the community in the future.”

Agent Christian Bonilla, municipality of Ponce Police Precinct (K9 unit) attended the event with his dog, Apollo. Bonilla spoke with the children about the different duties a K9 has which not only includes sniffing for drugs. He emphasized that K9s are also trained to search for people and sniff for bombs.

Among the other participants at the career day was Sgt. Harry N. Lopez, Fire Fighter at Fort Allen, Juana Diaz and a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard; Mr. Hector Ortiz, Director of the “Museo Francisco Pancho Coimbre” in Ponce. Ortiz focused on the importance of sports and mentioned a few local athletes that have been successful throughout the years. Mr. Carlos Rivera, “Desarrollo Cultural” from the Mayor’s office in Ponce specializes in arts and crafts and making hand-made kites. He explained the different variety of kites he has done and the process in which he makes them. Rivera had a display of his kites to show the students.

“This was such a great event and the children learned and had a ton of fun,” said Ms. Yanelly Rodriguez, the teacher for Head-Start Tuque II. “The students kept talking about the event in the classroom, and about three stated that they wanted to become firefighters when they grow up.”

Rodriguez mentioned that it was her hope that the children would be able to learn about more than just the police or fire department. “We mainly talk about the police department or fire department and often forget about the military,” said Rodriguez. “I wanted the children to experience more than just looking at their equipment. I wanted them to see that they have their place where they train, work and play.”

“Sgt. Colon made a great effort to deliver an event that I imagined, and I am truly grateful for her hard work and dedication,” concluded Rodriguez. “It was a great new way for the children to see what military personnel do. You can be a civilian and military member at the same time.”

• Date Taken: 10.16.2016
• Date Posted: 10.16.2016 15:28
• Story ID: 212149
• Location: PR