Four industrious high school students – senior Joshua Monteforte and juniors Malik Ellis, Victoria Lockamy and Chrystal Weiner – participated in the district’s Summer Youth Employment Program in conjunction with the Suffolk County Department of Labor, earning valuable hands on experience.

“This county program is designed to give teens an opportunity to gain work experience by working with mentors in various types of occupations,” said Renee Clock, the school’s coordinator of work based learning programs, who assisted the students in filling out their applications, preparing for the interview process and obtaining the necessary documents to participate.

During the seven-week program in July and August, the students worked for five hours a day from Monday through Thursday throughout the district. Under the direction of Director of Facilities Brian Graham and the high school’s head custodian, Steve Seidler, they worked inside with the custodial crew and outside with the district grounds operation, assisting on a multitude of projects. They also met weekly with Graham and different local vendors to discuss possible career paths, work readiness, and employability skills. 

“This program truly helps students prepare for a career, not just for college,” said Superintendent Susan Schnebel.