High school's internship program molds future leaders of Baltimore
With youth violence a major concern in Baltimore City, one high school is doing what it can to help youth become leaders in the community.
College preparation begins the moment students go to class at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.
"Our attendance rate is 95%," said Bill Heiser, the school's president. "Every year that we have been in existence — 16 years — every graduating class — 100% — have been accepted to college."
Some 350 students from across the city are enrolled at the school in Upper Fells Point. Leadership is a core value, and the school's Corporate Internship Program encourages youth to get involved in the community. Students intern once a week at one of 90 partners, including hospitals and universities.
Jaleah Crawford, a 10th grader, was able to participate in her first internship at the law firm Baker Donelson.
"This was an amazing experience. I got to learn different opportunities," Jaleah said. "I learned how to file a major thing that I do. I learned how to put stuff into inventory. I got to work with different attorneys. I got to go to the courthouse, see how the court runs."
"The corporate internship program is an investment in the future of Baltimore City because it's students like Jaleah who are going to be the future changemakers in Baltimore City and in the state of Maryland," said Kevin LaTulip Jr., a shareholder at Baker Donelson.
"They get an experience that's unlike anything else in any other high school in Baltimore," Heiser said.