The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded five high school juniors and seniors from Palm Beach County eight-week paid summer internships for Communities In Schools through the Bank of America Student Leaders program.
Although the overall economy continues to show signs of improvement, youth unemployment remains high. That is why Bank of America is focused on connecting young people to the education and training they need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.
“It is a top priority for us at Bank of America to equip youth in Palm Beach County with the necessary skill set to remain competitive in the job market once they complete college,” said Fabiola Brumley, Palm Beach market president for Bank of America. “For many of these students, this is their first paid job, and it will prepare them for the demands and challenges they will face upon entering the work force.”
The five participating students from Palm Beach who are interning at the Communities In Schools of Palm Beach County are:
• Jasmine Johnson, from West Palm Beach and a recent graduate of Riviera Beach Preparatory and Achievement Academy;
• Madelyn Winchester, from West Palm Beach and a senior at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts;
• Nya Jones, from Wellington and a senior at Palm Beach Central High School;
• Tova Jones, from Wellington and a recent graduate of the Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches; and
• DeeptiSailappan, from Boca Raton and a senior at the Pine Crest School.
In July, these five young individuals joined more than 200 other Bank of America Student Leaders from around the country for a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where they participated in skill-building workshops, a service learning project, sessions to develop better money habits and meetings with members of Congress. Since 2004, the program has connected 55 local teens with summer employment and has supported 2,200 young people nationwide.
Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization. Based directly inside schools throughout Palm Beach County, Communities In Schools connects students and families with resources tailored to a student’s specific needs. Learn more at www.cispbc.org.
