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Exercise Science YMCA interns (front row from left): Evan Gardner, Ryan Sterling, Luke Anderson
Back row (from left): Frank Revy, Russell Oldfield

 

Five students in Dan Popio’s Exercise and Sports Science program have landed internships as wellness consultants with the Lakewood YMCA. Two of Cassie Tetorakis’ students in the Business Management program are working with the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and two are interning at Laskey Costello accounting firm and two at Stepan CPA Firm in Lakewood.

These hands-on experiences provide students with invaluable industry knowledge, professional connections, and a strong addition to their resumes. This opportunity not only prepares them for future careers but also showcases the power of career-tech education in bridging the gap between education and employment. 

YMCA interns Luke Anderson, Evan Gardner, Russell Oldfield, Frank Revy and Ryan Sterling work approximately six hours a week with duties such as leading fitness center orientations for teens, assisting with teen strength and conditioning training programs and giving 30-minute introductions to personal training. 

Ryan is eager to dig into his work at the Y and test out the skills he has been learning in class: “There is an extremely practical crossover between the two, everything we've done in Sports Exercise Science has been in preparation for a job that is in that field of work,” he said.

Laskey Costello intern Mihai Bogdan-Chindea says he puts in approximately 20 hours a week for his paid internship at the firm and is sharpening his skills learned in class like Excel and other Microsoft applications while also learning new accounting software programs such as QuickBooks, Onvio, and UltraTax. Brayden McCarthy of Rocky River High School is also interning at the CPA firm. Nathan Kopko and Steven Mattar are interning at Stepan.

At the Chamber, Lay Phalt Htoo and Ella Hyatt will be assisting with event planning and administrative tasks as well as monitor members’ social media accounts to share good news they may post and sit in on meetings with local businesses.

West Shore is looking for more local businesses and organizations to consider offering internships to its students. By partnering with West Shore, employers can play a pivotal role in nurturing the workforce of tomorrow and building a stronger community. If interested, you can reach out to West Shore at 216-529-4155 or email yakoob.badat@lakewoodcityschools.org.

 

Business Management interns (from left): Mihai Bogdan-Chindea, Brayden McCarthy, Lay Phalt Htoo, Ella Hyatt

 

Each award recipient is automatically nominated for the “Career-Technical Student of the Year” award, which will be announced later in the school year at the annual Career Passport Assembly.

West Shore Career-Technical District encompasses Bay Village, Lakewood, Rocky River, and Westlake.  WSCT serves more than 400 students in its  programs. 

The 2023-24 Outstanding Student Award recipients are: 

• Automotive Technology: Tristen Sabo, Bay Village
   
• Business Management: Arlinda Ismaili, Lakewood
   
• Community-Based Program, Gordon Food Service: John Chase, Lakewood
   
• Community-Based Program, Wyndham: Matthew Dilellio, Westlake
   
• Community-Based Program, O'Neill Healthcare: Katherine Anderson, Bay Village
   
• Construction Trades: Domenic Dupay, Lakewood
   
• Culinary Arts: Kaileigh Burton, Lakewood
   
• Early Childhood Education: Shen Da Say, Lakewood
   
• Electronic Engineering Technology: Eric Bumm, Lakewood
   
• Health Careers: Caroline Baas, Lakewood
   
• Media Art & Design: Reagan Bratko, Lakewood
   
• Medical Office Management: Alexa Masten, Lakewood
   
• Networking & Cybersecurity: Charlie Quinn, Lakewood
   
• Project Lead the Way: Rowan Brown, Lakewood
   
• Sports & Exercise Science: Rita Moran, Lakewood
   
• Theatre Arts: Jana Evans, Lakewood

 

 

 

West Shore coordinator Yakoob Badat with Gov. DeWine at the announcementl.

These two programs will be housed at Lakewood High School and will be able to serve an additional 96 West Shore Career-Tech students from Lakewood, Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake. West Shore Career-Tech is a consortium comprised of those four school districts.

"We are delighted to hear that we have received the grant funds for two new exciting programs. Advancing educational and career opportunities for our students is our mission," said Lakewood Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki. "Each of these additions accelerates our students' abilities to gain employment in high-demand jobs when they graduate." 

Dr. Yakoob Badat, educational coordinator of West Shore, added: “The acquisition of $5.7 million in funding will empower us to establish cutting-edge welding and MEMS labs. This significant grant is an investment that will drive innovation and create new opportunities for our students. Thank you to the state leadership for supporting career technical education and workforce development.”

Administration projects that the earliest the career-tech programs may open is fall 2026. The welding facility is slated to be housed behind the high school north of the D building, where auto-tech currently is taught. The MEMS program will be located on the first floor of the high school, replacing some current classrooms. Both programs’ footprint will include lab and classroom space.

The grants received are part of a $200 million career-tech expansion grant program that was included in the most recent biennium budget.