By RICHARD PALOMA

rpaloma@oakdaleleader.com

Twenty Oakdale High School seniors participated in a morning job shadow sponsored by the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 11 and returned to the Oakdale Community Center to give presentations about their experiences.

Chamber of Commerce Board Member Monica Perrone said the students had to fill out applications and then dedicated time to job shadow in their future college degree field or career interest.

“Most are paired with Oakdale businesses.” Perrone said, naming Oakdale Veterinary, Dickerson Law, Trinitas, and Oakdale Police as a handful of businesses that were involved. “I think more students should take advantage of this. There’s tremendous value in the experience.”

After the job shadowing, the students along with their mentors for the day returned to the Bianchi Community Center where the Chamber of Commerce treated the participants to a pizza lunch.

Each student gave a brief synopsis of their experience, which will go toward judging for one of the six $750 scholarships the Chamber will be awarding later this year.

According to Chamber CEO Mary Guardiola, two of the six scholarships are specifically for those pursuing agriculture.

“It is a great experience to participate in this, said Guardiola. “It is one of my favorites to host.”