Animas High School has scheduled a reception tonight to recognize organizations that mentor juniors for three weeks each spring at working-world jobs.
Since 2012, the Leading Internships for New Knowledge (LINK) program has taken 140 AHS juniors out of the classroom each spring for a virtual apprenticeship in a field of their choosing.
Mentoring organizations – there have been 99 since the program began – appear satisfied with the arrangement.
Key Jobson, chief financial officer at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, which accepted two interns in each of the past two years, said the program has been meaningful for the company as well as the intern.
The interns have worked in marketing and information-technology projects.
“Our impression is that it’s been very positive,” Jobson said. “We benefited as well as the intern.”
Don Ricedorff, a Realtor with the Wells Group Real Estate Brokerage, was more than happy.
“We had an exceptional student,” Ricedorff said. “She took on an online research project with full force, 100 percent drive.”
Ricedorff was impressed also with the attention shown by AHS. The school didn’t simply cut the student loose for three weeks, but followed up with site visits.
The LINK connection was inspired by a similar program at High Tech High School in San Diego, California. High Tech High is a model for schools nationwide.
Libby Cowles, assistant head of school at Animas High School, said 99 local businesses and organizations have hosted juniors for three weeks.
The reception tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Powerhouse Science Center is sponsored by 1st Southwest Bank, she said.
daler@durangoherald.com
If you go
Get LINK-ed: 5-7 p.m. today, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. Mentors, students and parents will speak about the Leading Internships for New Knowledge program at Animas High School.
