Dedicated De La Salle Students Continue to Work In `Real World' This Christmas Break

Business Wire, Dec 23, 2002

City Desks/Assignment Editors

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 2002

Innovative Program Allows Students to Pay for Education;

This Christmas Students Pocket Paycheck

While other students might enjoy time-off during this holiday season, De La Salle North Catholic High School students will be working in the local community. As part of their curriculum, De La Salle students work one day a week at local companies such as Stoel Rives, Portland Teachers Credit Union, McMennamins, Kennedy School, Fleishman-Hillard, and others.

"This program allows me to gain real-world working experience," said Ta-Nisha Brown Covington, De La Salle sophomore. "I have learned so much and am confident that putting this experience on my resume will help me get into a good university." Ta-Nisha wants to become a doctor and plans to apply to top-notch universities upon high school graduation.

Founded over a year ago, De La Salle North Catholic High School serves the inner North Portland community. The program was started to break down barriers to private college prep education, while giving the students exposure to the real working world. When the program began in September 2001, 75 students were enrolled for 9th grade classes. Today, the program has doubled in size, adding an additional 75 students and another grade, 10th grade, to its roster. Typically, employers pay De La Salle for the work the students do. However, this Christmas season, the students will get to pocket their paychecks.

"The mission of De La Salle North Catholic High School is to provide a solid educational foundation for underserved kids," said Mike Jacobson, director corporate internship program. "Our students work so hard all year, both studying and working through internships to pay for a good education that we fully support them having a chance to earn extra money over the holidays."

A variety of companies will employ students this holiday season. A few examples of where you will find De La Salle students over the holiday include:

-- Fleishman-Hillard International Communications,

-- McMennamins, Kennedy School

-- Stoel Rives

-- Portland Teachers Credit Union

-- Advantage Northwest Credit Union

-- Bullivant Houser Bailey

-- Perkins Coie

-- Pitney Bowes

-- Guardian Management

-- JD Fulwiler & Co.

To arrange an interview or get permission to observe these students working in the real world, please contact Linda Riedman at 503/402-1442.