Rotary helps 180 Healdsburg High seniors learn 'practical' life skills

With their graduation day only weeks away on June 3, 180 seniors at listened carefully Friday to tips on navigating the world outside the safety net of a small-town public school.

and a panel of area volunteers offered the students advice on finding a job, coping with a roommate, renting an apartment or getting credit from a bank during the second annual "HHS Seniors Freedom Day" at

"I always hear parents saying, 'why don't you teach them something practical?'" said Healdsburg High School teacher Justin Braider. "This teaches them those practical things that they need out in the world."

Speakers included: Dan Chapin, of the teacher who also addressed the group; Virgil Gardaya, a Rotarian; Brenna Mackin, a recent college graduate; , a local property manager; Carol McKnight and Sylvia Todd, both former educators; Mike McGuire and

Rotary volunteers cooked the seniors a lunch of barbecued chicken, cornbread muffins and beans on the Villa Chanticleer's outdoor grill. Food was donated by Dave and Mary Kenady of , with desserts supplied by Will Seppi at .

Rotarian Henk Peeters, one of the event organizers, said the day was to help ease the transition for seniors into life in the "real world."

"This is what Rotary does," Peeters said. "We're the largest service organization in the world."