Hollister
– Local residents were out in force at the 12th Annual Spotlight
on Hollister and San Benito Expo and Job Fair.
Hollister – Local residents were out in force at the 12th Annual Spotlight on Hollister and San Benito Expo and Job Fair.
Many of those wandering the aisles of booths – especially those in their teens and early 20s – were on the hunt for jobs. Lydia Villareal, 21, said she was looking for a full-time clerical position. She hadn’t found anything yet, but Villareal said she was optimistic.
“There are a couple of possibilities,” she said.
Robert Perry, 17, wasn’t quite as lucky. Perry said he had one job in mind – a spot at the Premiere Cinemas movie theater. But at 4:30pm, the booth set aside for Premiere Cinemas sat empty.
“I guess I’ll just wait,” Perry said.
Friday was also an opportunity for event organizers to try a new format. Al Martinez, who’s been chairing the expo since it began, said it normally takes place on Wednesday from noon to 7pm. This year, however, the time was switched to Friday from 4pm to 8pm to grab more of the county’s commuters.
Geri Johnson, who sits on the organizing committee, was pulling double duty at the booths for the City of Hollister and Relay for Life. Johnson’s initial impression was that the switch had helped to draw a slightly larger crowd.
“I hope it will stay this way for a while,” she said.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
