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MARCH 7, 2024—Mrs. Herrmann’s High School Job Skills class recently welcomed in two special guests with backgrounds from Broadway to breaking barriers.
First, business owner and automotive technician Katie Collela stopped in to share her journey as a woman in the male-dominated automotive field.
Colella owns Pretty Powerful, a local nonprofit organization, where she teaches girls and women how to do basic automotive maintenance. She also works at Reaper Customs, another local business.
Colella emphasized the value of never settling and encouraged the students to strive for their dreams. She also took several questions from students and shed a light on navigating male-dominated fields. Colella outlined the alternative paths for those students who are not necessarily college bound.
In a Facebook post, Colella reflected on her time speaking to the class:
“It was truly rewarding to engage with the students and educators,” Colella said. “The energy and enthusiasm in the room were contagious, and I left feeling empowered to do more.”
Next, the class welcomed stage actor Jeremiah James Schalberg. He’s acted in over 175 theater productions, including at the Carousel London Theater. He also produces shows, most recently, “The Last Match,” a production about a wrestler.
The show will open in Rochester next month.
Schalberg attended Pal-Mac from Kindergarten through 5th grade when his family moved to California.
He shared his experiences as an actor as well as his personal challenges. Schalberg was diagnosed with a learning disability in the 10th grade and learned to adapt and overcome it to achieve success.
He told students he continues to advocate for the tools he needs to learn his lines.
"Life has struggles, but you keep moving forward,” Schalberg said.
Mrs. Herrman said the speaker series is a part of her ongoing effort to expose her students to careers aligning with their interests.
Previously, Mrs. Landrigan’s TLC class, which shares students with Mrs.Herrmann’s class, welcomed Author Dawn Bertman in February. Bertman wrote a book about anxiety, and she came in to speak to the class about her writing process.
Herrmann said she will continue to find guest speakers to come to her class.
This effort is an extension of the District's mission to prepare its students for life after High School, no matter what they choose to pursue.
- Palmyra-Macedon CSD
- Palmyra-Macedon High School