The National Organization on Disability started Disability Mentoring Day in 1999 with fewer than three dozen student participants. Mentoring Day is now celebrated every October with more than 10,000 youths with disabilities participating nationally, in events sponsored by more than 1,500 private, nonprofit, governmental and educational organizations.A key goal is to promote disability as a central component of diversity recruitment for a more inclusive workforce. In Hernando, this year's kickoff event was a Career Day held at Career Central. About 70 youths from the county's four high schools participated, and about 25 representatives from area businesses, agencies and educational facilities were present. They provided the students with information about careers and educational programs designed to support their career development.This year's theme was Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce.Margaret Timmerman, the employment specialist at Springstead High School, provided this information and also sent along the reactions of some of the students who went:Since it was a field trip and transportation was provided, about 70 students were able to attend. Most of the students were from career preparation classes and work experience programs. My favorite presenter was Toni Bennett from the YMCA. It was a good field trip.Dominique Dow- - -We had to wait to get started at first because students came from all four high schools, but once we got started it was very organized. People spoke from PHCC and Withlacoochee Technical School. What I liked the best was the YMCA presentation by Toni Bennett. She explained about the requirements for both volunteering and getting a paid job there. The other thing I liked was that the presenters took the time to listen to me and answer my questions. It was a successful event.Kelley Reynolds- - -I am interested in health careers. I like everything from pharmacy to physical fitness. I met two representatives from Spring Hill Regional Hospital, Leanne Salazar and Maria Mancebo. I know that I will have to work hard in school to get in to any type of health career.Peter Morchy- - -I have always been interested in veterinary technology. I met Lisa Miner of Pet Partners, who is a vet tech and a professional pet sitter. She was able to provide me with a lot of information. I liked the way the field trip was organized so we had lots of time to talk to the presenters.Jessica Lisojo- - -I liked the whole field trip. I spoke with Melanie Butterworth, who is a counselor from PHCC. I met two students who belong to a group called CAST - Courage And Strength Together. This is a support group for students who have different types of disabilities. I also spoke with Toni Bennett about jobs and volunteering at the YMCA. There were students there from all four high schools but everything was very organized. Career Central provided us lunch and the presenters gave us a lot of information to take home.Stephanie Menzo- - -The best part for me was meeting the representatives from Law Enforcement. Officer Digaetano works at Hernando Correctional Institute and explained the requirements for a job as a Correctional Officer. Mrs. Ingram is a Probation Officer. I would have liked to have representatives from the military there. Since there were students from all four high schools, I got to meet friends from middle school that I hadn't seen for a while, and we were able to talk about how our career goals changed as we got older.Nick Colao- - -The best part for me was meeting Lori Drenth. She is the Food and Nutrition Director for the Hernando County School District. I also liked the college information from Melanie Butterworth of PHCC and information about Vocational Rehabilitation. The presenters treated us like young adults preparing for the future and answered lots of questions.Sheray Murray- - -I enjoyed meeting with the representatives from Spring Hill Regional Hospital, the technology program and the animal sitter. Next year I hope that more career areas are represented.Samantha Epp- - -What did I like best? I enjoyed lunch - pizza! Seriously, I enjoyed talking to Lisa Miner, a professional pet sitter and vet tech from Pet Partners. I liked talking about my interest in animals and learning about the different things I can do to become successful in that career area. I would like it if an animal trainer was willing to come and show the dogs and show the methods used to train dogs and demonstrate what skills dogs are able to do.Sara Prevo