For generations of high school students, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has been a stressful one. But for seniors at Independence High School, a local internship program is helping students find the answer before they even graduate.
Through a three-way partnership between Independence Community Schools, the Buchanan County Health Center (BCHC) and Central Rivers AEA, students are stepping out of the classroom and into real jobs. The result is a direct path from school to work that shows exactly how local tax dollars and school programs prepare students for successful careers.
Student leadership in action: the “Fun Fact Friday” phenomenon
When Independence CSD senior Kynzley White signed up for the internship program, she knew she was interested in marketing but needed a way to test the waters. She took a leap of faith and reached out to Michelle McBride, the head of Public Relations and Marketing at BCHC.
On Kynzley’s first day, McBride asked her to brainstorm five marketing ideas, expecting to pick just one. Instead, McBride told her to run with all five. That very day, a social media video series called “Fun Fact Fridays” was born.
Taking charge of the project, Kynzley writes the scripts, steps in front of the camera, edits the videos, and posts them across BCHC’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
“I have had an absolute blast with the creation of these weekly videos,” Kynzley shares. “It feels so surreal seeing a project we work hard on being posted to the public and hearing and seeing the positivity it brings to so many people across the community.”
For McBride, who had never hosted a student intern in her 12 years at BCHC, giving a high school senior the reins to a real marketing project has been a rewarding surprise. “She is a natural communicator who delivers each fun fact with professionalism and enthusiasm,” McBride notes. “Her willingness to learn, take ownership and step outside her comfort zone has been wonderful to see.”
Kynzley isn’t the only student using this program to build a foundation for the future. Fellow Independence CSD senior Avery Wheelock is currently in Family Practice alongside Dr. House at BCHC to see what working in healthcare is really like before committing to years of college.
“I’ve enjoyed seeing different patients and hearing different medical terminology used consistently to explain treatment,” Avery explains. “This experience has made me more interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and has given me a better idea of what to expect.”
Keith Halverson, Central Rivers AEA Work-Based Learning Coordinator, notes that both students have the drive and people skills that make these placements work. “Kynzley and Avery are young people who have a passion for learning and being successful,” Halverson explains. “They both have the ability to engage with people in a positive way which helps them connect easier with clients and partners.”
Making it happen behind the scenes
While the students and businesses are the public face of these internships, Central Rivers AEA provides the support that makes them possible. Behind the scenes, the goal is to connect what students want to learn with what local businesses actually need.
Dr. Cynthia Phillips, Superintendent for Independence CSD and Central Rivers AEA Board Member, explains that the AEA provides the connections and regional support needed to offer these opportunities to more students. “Partnering with the AEA allows us to efficiently connect local student ambitions with regional business needs without overextending district resources,” she says.
For Halverson, building that connection relies on keeping everyone on the same page. “We really want a win-win scenario where young people are learning about a career and business partners are building connections for possible future employees,” he says.
A two-way street of mentorship
While the internship program educates students, the professionals mentoring them are benefiting just as much. Kynzley’s work with the marketing team has brought fresh energy to the hospital’s public outreach.
“Seeing BCHC through her lens and perspective has been meaningful and has challenged me to think differently about marketing,” says McBride. “Sometimes, we don’t fully recognize the fresh ideas, creativity and value young adults can bring to the table until we have the opportunity to work alongside them. This experience has been a reminder that mentorship is a two-way street.”
This mutual benefit is exactly what district leaders hope to achieve. When students succeed inside local businesses, Dr. Phillips notes, the whole town becomes a place of learning. “This mutual investment fosters local pride, strengthens our economy and proves what we can accomplish when schools and businesses grow together,” she emphasizes.
A strong return on community investment
The success of students like Kynzley and Avery highlights a simple truth for Independence: strong schools build strong local economies.
Programs like this internship are a direct reflection of how local tax dollars shape the future workforce. As the Independence school district looks to the community for bond support, this partnership stands as a prime example of why investing in our schools pays off. By funding great educational opportunities, the community is actively preparing students to step into professional roles, with the ultimate hope that they will choose to build their lives and careers right here in Buchanan County.
“Kynzley and Avery’s achievements prove that public education investments yield direct dividends for our community,” states Dr. Phillips. “Strong schools and regional partnerships don’t just educate students; they retain local talent, empower local enterprises and secure a brighter future for the communities of Independence CSD. Every investment in our youth is an investment in our local legacy!”
To learn more about how you can support a student’s journey, please reach out to Heather Gould, Executive Director of Educational Services at Central Rivers AEA. Your partnership could be the moment a student like Kynzley or Avery discovers their path.