That is why a group of Marshalltown High School officials put together the school’s first ever Adulting Day, which brought sessions on everything from changing a tire to patching clothes and grocery shopping to renting a living space.

“We see memes on Twitter and Facebook all the time like ‘I wish high school had taught me how to do this and that,'” said Marshalltown family and consumer science instructor Alexa Hotopp. “Then, I actually saw in People Magazine that a high school in Kentucky did something like this and I thought that would be really cool.”

The seniors got to unwind with a breakfast and games session early Thursday before launching into sessions to build up their skills in everyday tasks, as well as career-advancing actions like writing up a resume.

“I think it’s good that we’re taking different sessions to understand, because soon we’re going to graduate and we’re going to have to understand this is what life will be like in the real world,” said senior Law Htoo.

T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS — Sewing is a skill needed to solve problems many adults encounter, and these boys practice their skills at Thursday’s high school “adulting” day.

He and classmate Jane Ragland said they were happy to be part of the resume-building session.

“I definitely think it’s preparing us for the next step now that we’re leaving high school,” Ragland said. “It’s not just career prep, it’s daily life things like how to do laundry or what groceries to buy.”

One such day-to-day skill senior Emily Sickles learned Thursday was how to patch clothes. She said she was also excited to learn about banking and budgeting.

“It will probably be useful,” Sickles said.

Other sessions available to seniors were healthy living, cooking in a dorm room, insurance, living with roommates, checking a vehicle’s oil, job interviews, hand sewing and self-defense.

“We just thought it would be a fun way for them to start thinking about what the next chapter in their life brings,” Hotopp said.

The Marshalltown High School Class of 2019 commencement ceremony will be 2:30 p.m. June 2 at the Roundhouse.

——–

Contact Adam Sodders at

641-753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com