John Glenn expands internships, launches career pipeline for students

Principal McNamara and career coordinator Eileen Fucci told the Elwood Union Free School District Board of Education on Jan. 13 that John Glenn High School has broadened its career and internship programming to give students hands‑on experience in fields ranging from health care to business and education.

Fucci described a cluster of programs serving roughly 40 students districtwide and said that 13 students presented specific internship experiences at the meeting. “This is career magic,” Fucci told the board, summarizing the district’s approach to creating internships and mentoring structures that include portfolios, regular mentor meetings and end‑of‑year presentations.

The career offerings highlighted at the meeting include: district internships (including the PACE life‑skills lab and in‑building placements at Harley Avenue, Boyd and Elwood Middle School); a child development course that pairs high school interns with kindergarten classes; a Huntington Hospital clinical internship that places students alongside medical staff; legal and DA office networking events called “career cafés”; and a new Virtual Enterprise course (VE) planned for next school year that will let students form and run a mock company and compete with other Long Island schools.

Students who spoke at the board described concrete outcomes. An Abigail Million said her internship included a one‑on‑one meeting with an assistant district attorney and work on a portfolio and resume. Student Rosalinda Lemus, already a certified nurse assistant, said shadowing nurses and observing procedures, including a C‑section, confirmed her plans to pursue nursing. Bryce Blaylock described web design and student‑teaching work that led to an external internship offer from a program parent company.

Fucci said internships are personalized: each student builds a portfolio, receives mentoring, and presents to an administrator at year’s end. The program also arranges career cafés that bring professionals into the school; the DA’s office and local medical professionals were cited as partners. McNamara told the board staff and students can be contacted directly and urged families to reach out with questions.

Board members praised the student presentations and encouraged continued expansion. Trustee comments noted the program’s potential to prepare students for careers and to help fill local workforce needs in teaching, trades and health care.

Fucci said next steps include expanding dual‑enrollment options, growing internship partnerships (including alumni connections), and launching the Virtual Enterprise course. Certificates of appreciation were presented to student participants at the meeting.

Ending: The board did not take formal action on the presentation; members asked staff to continue promoting the program through guidance events and the district website so more students can enroll.