By Becky Maxedon

Marsha Becker is the Lake Havasu High School Career and Technical Education Coordinator and the very successful intern program falling under her auspices was celebrated this week.

“We are celebrating our current career and technical education explorations internship program,” Becker said.

The program has been active since 2015 when the city competed in America’s Best Cities.

“It was one of the pillars of education to start a connection between our local schools and business and industry to give students an opportunity to see what it’s like hands on in an internship with a local employer,” she said.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

She said LHHS has a unique relationship with the Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce through the Lake Havasu Chamber Foundation for Education and Leadership Board.

“The board has taken on the funding and helping us make the connections with businesses.”

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The high school determines the student’s interests. And then, the students are interviewed by the CFEL Board and then they are placed out in community businesses for approximately 30 hours.

“You have to be 16 and have your own transportation so you can get to and from the businesses so you can complete your 30 hours.

“And again, the unique relationship is the Chamber and the CFEL Board raising the money to keep the financial piece in place so that students get a paycheck at the end of it and it’s not on the business to pay for the student,” she said.

There are 22 students participating in the program this semester.

Kaymee Kelly is the coordinator for the internships.

“We always have students at the hospital now that are 16 and older. It used to be 18 so we are really thankful for that. That students get to see labor and delivery, the ER. We have students at Four Seasonz. We have two doing HVAC which is really cool to get the trades in there. We have students that are baking at Shugrue’s.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“So, there’s just all sorts of opportunities. I always tell the kids if they think about it, the Chamber will do their best to match them with somebody,” Kelly said.

One intern, senior Christian Elyson, has interned this semester with Whiz Kid Computer Services and Repair. It was his first internship.

“I kind of just liked working with computers. If I were to get into a job, it would be working with computer science or something like that,” Elyson said.

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When asked what he has learned, he said, “Like name all the parts in a computer. Take it apart and put it back together. If you need to download an operating system or like do a complete wipe I can do that stuff. Like the basics.”

He said it was likely he would probably want to work with computers in the future.

Junior Elijah Aston participated in an internship with RiverScene Magazine.

“I definitely learned about connections and how important that is. I’ve been able to meet amazing people with the RSM Team. That has helped me get quotes easier and understand events,” he said.

“And then I also realized I liked photography a lot. I thought I liked writing a lot, but RSM has taught me that photography I’m passionate about.”

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

He said his most notable event coverage was the Beard and Mustache competition under the bridge.

“I had never heard of that. I went and it was amazing and hilarious – so much fun. I got to go to a 5K run, Fall Fun Fair and write about that,” he said.

Aston said he really enjoyed taking photographs at Grace Arts Live.

“That was amazing because I have experience with theater and I knew where to get the photos and it taught me so much about the angles.”

He said he wants to continue working in the journalism program.

Full disclosure – Aston is now employed by RiverScene Magazine.

For more information about the program, visit www.llhhscte://lhusd.org, and www.havasuchamber.com.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene