Taft College Connects With Students at Career Day in Arvin

Career Day at El Camino Real Elementary School in Arvin gave Taft College a chance to show young students what a future in sports and education can look like. On Thursday, May 7, Taft College head women's basketball coach Romeo Lagmay Jr. spent the day meeting with students in second through sixth grade, sharing his path to becoming a collegiate head coach and offering a firsthand look at life in athletics.

Lagmay rotated through five different classrooms, where he talked about his education, the preparation it took to reach his current position, and the work required to build a successful career. He also spoke about the importance of becoming, and staying, a strong college student-athlete. That message resonated with students who were eager to learn not just about coaching, but about the commitment behind it. What does it take to turn a passion for sports into a profession? That was one of the big themes of the day.

The visit also brought a little bit of Taft College spirit to campus. Official game uniforms and sports schedule posters were handed out to be displayed, helping students connect what they were hearing in the classroom to a real hometown college program. Lagmay also gave TC mascot toys to active participants, adding some fun to conversations that were already full of curiosity and energy.

Many of the students wanted to know about Lagmay's personal experiences as a collegiate student-athlete and the different teams and levels he has coached. Those questions helped turn the event into more than a presentation. It became a real conversation, one where students could picture careers available in their own community and hear directly from someone who has built one.

That is what made the day stand out. Taft College's involvement was not just about representing the Cougars. It was about giving back, opening doors, and showing county residents at an early age that opportunity can start close to home. For the students at El Camino Real, Career Day offered a memorable look at where education, athletics, and hard work can lead.