For most high school students, memories of summertime usually include going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and taking it easy until school starts again in the Fall.

But for forty-nine Juniors from Banning High School in Wilmington, Summer 2009 will always be remembered as the time they were selected to participate in ITEP’s Internship Program in partnership with the Port of Los Angeles.

These students completed an application form, personal statement, resume and interview in order to be selected for a paid position in one of twelve sites at the Port of Los Angeles, or one of twenty-one other employers outside the port.

International Trade Education Program (ITEP) has developed this internship program with the belief that it is never too early to empower and educate students through valuable work experience opportunities. The internship program is the centerpiece for ITEP programs and gives students opportunities to fully understand how math and English and science are vital to succeeding in the real world. 

The theme of the evening was “Opening the World Today and Preparing for Tomorrow.” In the three-hour Internship Culmination annual event at Banning High School on September 3, 2009, Principal Robert Lopez told the audience of approximately 300 employers, interns, faculty, families and guests, that “thanks to ITEP… Banning is now doing so much better than several years ago when it was going downhill.”

ITEP’s academies at Banning include the career-related International Trade Academy (ITA), Global Safety and Security Academy (GSS), Maritime Agriculture, Tourism, Cuisine and Hospitality (MATCH), and Global Environmental Sciences Academy (GESA). Virginia Marsoobian, Lead Teacher of the MATCH academy and her students catered the event with a lovely presentation of appetizers and a tasty cake.

One of the event’s key speakers, Tom Good from Matson Navigation Company, and Chairman of the ITEP Board, said “This ITEP Summer Internship Program is not just about a job – but about building self-esteem…and learning to help others.”

Karen Saunders, from the District 8 office of the Los Angeles Unified School District, in speaking about the internship program, said, “This is about the connection to the real world of work.”

Each of the 49 students were able to stand in front of the group and express their thanks and appreciation for their 8 week experience. ITA student, Greta Armenta, in speaking to the group, stated “It only takes one person with dedication to make a difference in this world.”

Martin Chavez and Cynthia Jaime from the Port of Los Angeles were instrumental in working directly with the students in weekly workshops in math, writing and workplace professionalism.

Students had the opportunity to work at sites in the Port, including the Port Police, Community Relations, Engineering, Information Systems, Construction and Maintenance, Port Pantry, among others. Work sites outside the port included SA Recycling, Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, LA Harbor College, Spirit Cruises, Watson Land Company and Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

ITEP Consultants, Harlene Stanley and Susie Emami were on hand in full support of their academy teachers and students.

Lucius Martin, from Pacific Gateway, reported that even though there were some companies that were not able to participate this year due to the challenging economy, there were seven new employers who participated for the first time. Lucius is already looking forward to even more new employers for next summer’s program.