Albion seniors explore careers in internship program
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mandi Covis, a senior at Albion High School, stands by a display she made highlighting her internship experience with Hospice of Orleans.
Covis did administrative work for Hospice and also spent serving at the residence for terminally ill patients. She impressed Hospice staff so much she was offered a summer job.
“She was a tremendous asset,” said Nyla Gaylord, Hospice’s director of development. “She is tremendously creative. She is a quick study and very bright.”
Covis is one of 25 Albion seniors who did internships since January, working with local businesses and organizations. This morning there was a reception in the high school cafeteria, highlighting the students and their intern experiences.
Covis is considering a career in nursing or health services administration. She will attend Kent State in the fall. She said the health field is strong with a good chance for landing a job after she graduates.
Lorena Martinez did an internship with the Eagles Pride Daycare at the Albion Middle School. She will attend Genesee Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in early childhood development.
“Every time I walk in they smile,” she said about the preschoolers.
She worked with Eagles Pride staff to encourage the children to use words.
“You have to be really patient,” she said about working with the preschoolers. “They’re still young and learning.”
Elizabeth Bentley, right, interned at the Medina Veterinary Clinic. She is pictured with Patty Welker, a member of the Veterinary Clinic. Bentley observed surgeries and helped with tasks at the vet clinic on Route 63.
Bentley wants to be a large animal vet. She has worked the past five years feeding calves at the Van Lieshout Farm in Barre. She is attending Alfred University this fall with a pre-vet major in biology.
Xochitl Rosario interned with first grade teacher Kelly Wadhams. The experience confirmed Rosario’s goal to become an elementary school teacher.
“It was really helpful,” Rosario said. “It showed me what to expect in this career.”
She helped students with their reading, and did many arts and crafts projects with them, helping them to learn. She spent two to three hours in the classroom most school days, often reading to the students.
“I want to be there for them,” she said about her goal to become a teacher. “I love them a lot.”
She plans to attend GCC for her associate’s degree and then transfer to Brockport State College.
Susan Starkweather Miller serves as the internship coordinator. She said few rural schools have such a program, connecting students to work experiences in the community.
“We’re fortunate so many businesses and organizations are willing to work with our students and provide meaningful work experiences for them,” she said.
The following students did internships: Jayne Bannister, Nita Bela, Elizabeth Bentley, Adryan Cheeseboro, Madyson Coville, Amanda Covis, Isabella Cox, Dominic DiCureia, Nicholas Ettinger, Laura Flanagan, Lorena Martinez, Sara Maxon, Elena Mergler, Sarah Metzler, Gary Moore, Justice Nauden, Charlene Olick, Carol Pritchard, Xochitl Rosario, Megan Rosato, Jacia Schick, Morgan Seielstad, Emily Shabazz, David Stilwell and Jordan Tucker.
The following served as internship sites: Albion Central School, Albion Police Department, Country Lane Veterinary Services, CRFS’s information technology department, Dance Reflections with Miss Heather, Fuller & Company, GCASA, Hospice of Orleans County, Le Roy Physical Therapy, Medina High School FFA, Medina Veterinary Clinic, Orleans Community Health’s physical therapy department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Pathstone, Phoenix Fitness, Rosenkranz Pharmacy, Saint-Gobain Adfors, Village of Albion Water Treatment Plant and YMCA Eagle’s Pride Daycare.
