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Toying with a career path

By ERIN SULLIVAN
Published December 7, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - "Who wants to ride on a horse?" asked Demi Harrell, the veterinarian's 10-year-old daughter.

"I don't," said Jocyelyn Thompson, a tiny 5-year-old with espresso eyes. Demi and the teachers tried to talk her into it.

"No," Jocyelyn said. "NO."

Jocyelyn was one of 19 kids from Rodney B. Cox Elementary School who visited the Pasco Veterinary Medical Center on Wednesday.

The trip was sponsored by Toys for Tots. These students were deemed the most financially needy at the school, where many students are impoverished. This is the sixth year Toys for Tots has organized the outing.

Bob Loring, whose title is Head Elf for East Pasco Toys for Tots, said kids from richer schools often get to go on field trips like this. He organized this so these kids - "my kids" - can have the same experience.

Monica Russ, the parent involvement assistant at Cox, said most of her students "don't get the opportunity to get outside" their world, which is, for many, migratory. They follow their parents with the seasons and harvests, from Florida to Georgia to Texas and back.

"There are kids who come to our school who can't speak English," Russ said. "They can't even tell you their names."

The children toured the office. They looked through microscopes and learned about medicine. They saw cats and dogs and birds. They sat on, but weren't allowed to ride, the horses.

The adults hope this trip will get these kids thinking about a career in medicine.

"I hope this inspires them to be something - to find a passion, to find something they love," said Dr. Marlene Siegel, the clinic's veterinarian.

The boys and girls, though, were focused on lunch, cake and opening presents. Most of the boys got trucks. Most of the girls got dolls.

"You got a remote control! Ooooh," said Alfreda Steele to her younger brother, Aaron. Alfreda is 8. Aaron is 7. She got a Bratz Genie Magic doll. He got a big red radio-controlled truck. He didn't say anything. He hugged the box to his chest and when all the kids stood together for a photo, he turned the box around so everyone could see what he got.

Erin Sullivan can be reached at esullivan@sptimes.com or 813 909-4609.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is in need of unwrapped toys for girls and boys, infants through teenagers. For locations of dropoff boxes, go to www.toysfor totspasco.org. For more information, call Emile Koczur in west Pasco at (727) 847-4583 or Bob Loring in east Pasco at (352) 588-4230. In east Pasco, you also can donate food and items like toothbrushes and underwear.

[Last modified December 6, 2006, 23:02:14]