LPHS and La Porte’s businesses go hand in hand with one another. Because of this, LPHS tries to expand each year to the community, incorporate them, and provide students with the ability to intern and gain work experience for the real world. This year, American Licorice has played a significant role in this expansion.
“LaPorte High School students are the future of La Porte business. Giving them firsthand experience while they are in high school can help them further decide what path they would like to pursue post-graduation. Having a clearer sense of direction coming out of high school makes them a more valuable asset to prospective employers,” Steve Nunberg, Human Resources Manager of American Licorice, said.
The La Porte-based business initially wanted to learn more about work studies at the high school, and Mrs. Maxey, college and career readiness counselor, was the one who got back with them. Since then, American Licorice has been a large supporter to LPHS.
“They are involved in mentorships with the Freshmen Learning Community, and for our work based learning program (BCE) they created an internship position, which is an amazing opportunity. They will be rotating one student through every area of their business. I had seven students interview for the position, and it was awarded to Ashaunti Thompson. American Licorice also serves on my DECA/BCE Career Technical Advisory Board,” Maxey said.
LPHS is pursuing more options for students who aspire to go into the business world. Maxey and other counselors came to the decision that Work 2000 was obsolete a few years ago, and now, they are using BCE instead because of its rigor out of the classroom. BCE pushes students to accumulate traits that are desirable in the workplace.
American Licorice is also trying to expand to better prepare high school students. Next year, the company hopes to branch out to surrounding high schools because its partnership with LPHS motivated this idea.
“With college and career readiness being a huge initiative nationwide, LPHS has embraced it. With my position in particular, we are constantly looking for new programming to bring to students to help introduce soft skills,” Maxey said.
Maxey is not the only LPHS staff member who is reaching out into the community for students. Mr. Presley’s Senior Technical Writing class plays a noteworthy role within La Porte and the surrounding area.
“Over the last three years, so many people and businesses in our community have stepped up and taken the time to work with my students and support my efforts in pushing them towards college and career readiness. I am grateful for their support and guidance,” Presley said.
His class provides an impact to students that no other class truly brings to LPHS. Students choose a mentor to shadow throughout the school year that bring forth important real world experience, job skills that can be used in the future, and professional relationships into the community.
Lastly, Mr. Hunter, guidance counselor at LPHS, is in charge of the business showcase, which highlights a surrounding business. Each week a new business is featured in the commons during lunch on Wednesdays.
“LPHS appreciates the opportunity to display career related, educational information. Local business and industrial concerns are a vital part of our school community. The Business Showcase is coordinated through the La Porte Chamber of Commerce,” Hunter said.
LPHS will continue to work with the community. After all, the students of LPHS will eventually go out into the community and make a difference. It certainly helps that there is a way in which teachers can prepare students for this inevitability, and help them be a cut above the rest.