The fifth grade class at U.S. Jones Elementary School spent its Friday morning at the Theo Ratliff Activity Center, taking part in the second annual Halloween Career Fair.

The event allowed fifth grade students to dress in the costume of their favorite profession while listening to 10 guest speakers from different vocations around the city.

“They really respond well,” U.S. Jones principal Tony Speegle said of the event. “I think that is evident by the career choices they have made with their costumes.”

Speegle and Demopolis Mayor Mike Grayson hosted the first such event last fall and hope to keep it as an annual tradition moving forward.

“I’ve been impressed by their attentiveness,” Grayson said. “They sit still. They listen. They’re very courteous and polite.”

“I don’t know if they are every to young to imprint, but I think this is a great way to introduce them to the careers that are in our community,” Speegle said.

The students learned about banking from Allen Bishop, the medical field from Gayla Culpepper, the fire department from Ronnie Few, ministry from Hank Atchison, accounting from Rob Pearson, arts from Tony Nixon, engineering from Diane Brooker, law enforcement from Tommie Reese, marketing and business from Jenn Tate and mechanical fields from Mike Baker.

“The more you learn, the more you earn,” Grayson told the students while explaining the theme for the day. “It’s important that you go to school. It’s important that you be a good citizen. It is important that you get involved in the community.”