The Quilcene School District conducted its second annual “Show Us Your Work” career fair April 27, doubling the size of its debut last year by drawing more than 40 employers and other area organizations.

“A lot of businesses have embraced this event,” said Bill Breakey, Quilcene K-12 learning specialist. “We wanted to prepare our kids for the future by giving them tangible, hands-on ways that staying in school today prepares them for tomorrow.”

Breakey noted that each student received a “passport,” with spaces to be filled out for each of the evening’s exhibitors, so that they could win prizes.

“They can’t just stop at each booth, though,” Breakey said. “They have to ask questions about what those careers are like, so that they’re learning and engaged. We want them to see that you don’t have to go to Seattle to get a good job.”

The Leader stopped by the Quilcene campus that night to ask the students, “What do you want to do as an adult?”

Mya and Kiedis Wong

Quilcene first-grader Mya Wong filled out her passport as younger brother Kiedis, 4, looked on.

Although both siblings were raptly fascinated by the bronze work of the Port Townsend Foundry, their career choices remained unchanged.

“I want to be a doctor to help people,” Mya said.

Mom Siehara Wong cited the Disney cartoon series “Doc McStuffins” as an inspiration for Mya, who’s wanted to be a doctor since she was 2, just as a visit to the local fire station persuaded Kiedis that he wanted to be a firefighter.

Bailey Kieffer

Of all the exhibitors at the school that evening, Quilcene senior Bailey Kieffer appreciated chatting with representatives from Jefferson Healthcare the most, but then, she already knows she’s going into physical therapy.

“I’ve been in physical therapy myself since I was born,” said Bailey, who suffered partial paralysis due to the way she was delivered when she was born. “That therapy was my saving grace, so I want to help other kids who are going through similar things.”

Bailey has already scored a few scholarships to help her attend Washington State University, but in the meantime, she’s enjoyed seeing what her classmates have been up to through their own portfolios.

Bailey’s mom, Jodi Kieffer, said, “I loved seeing folks from the community turn out, from all over the peninsula. It gave the night a good variety of representation.”

Manette Ward and Alannah Frye

As one of this year’s graduating Quilcene High school seniors, Alannah Frye presented her senior portfolio for review during the evening’s event.

Her mother, Manette Ward, reported that Frye is moving to England in the fall, to study at a culinary school.

“I want to become a professional pastry chef,” Alannah said. “I like sweets, and I’ve always been a fan of cooking shows.”

The event wasn’t without its benefits for her, however.

“I talked with a few of the park rangers,” Alannah said. “I’ll be working as a ranger in the Olympic Mountains over the summer.” This job will help her move to England.

Alexis Martin

Quilcene second-grader Alexis Martin plans to become a horse jockey, but her love of animals is inclusive enough that she was taken with the owl and the kestrel on display from Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue.

“Becoming a jockey would be hard work for her, but she does love horses, and I do have friends who could help her get into it,” said Alexis’ father, Scott Martin. “It’ll depend on how much she grows between now and then, though.”

The American kestrel that Alexis admired had fallen out of its nest, sustaining a neck injury, according to Conner Daily, whose wife, Cynthia Daily, started the bird rescue in New Mexico in 1986, and continued it after moving to Port Townsend in 1994.

“It wouldn’t survive in the wild, so we use it as an exhibition bird,” Connor said.

Benjermen Beck

Quilcene third-grader Benjermen Beck took his time studying a model of an animal jaw from the Chimacum Veterinary Hospital, but it’s likely he’ll follow his father to the sea, if not to the same profession.

Keith Beck, Benjermen’s father, got into his own mother’s shrimp and crab business, but his son’s most recently expressed desire is to become a U.S. Navy SEAL.

“I was a captain in the Army, and I think it’s good to have some kind of military experience,” Keith said. “Ben’s already checking out the qualifications to become a SEAL.”

Miranda and Hunter Schryver

Quilcene kindergartner Hunter Schryver was one of many kids fascinated by the Jefferson County Library’s Ozobots, tiny spherical robots that can automatically follow paths on paper based on their ability to sense color.

Children’s librarian Martha Ashenfelter noted that the Ozobots, along with Spirographs and bracelet-makers, are available to check out from the library.

Although Hunter’s professed career choice of becoming a firefighter is common among boys his age, his mother, Miranda Schryver, suspects he might stick with it.

“He definitely likes the fire trucks,” Miranda said, holding Hunter’s passport while he played with the Ozobots. “Whatever he does, it’ll probably involve heavy machinery of some kind.”