With the 2021/2022 school year coming to an end and the official start of summer just weeks away, what are kids doing to stay busy? Enter the age-old internship – an opportunity for students to work for an organization, sometimes without pay, to gain experience. But with Student ACES, a 501c3 organization dedicated to inspiring and developing high school student athletes to become men and women of character, honor and integrity through character education programs, nothing is age-old, after all the organization is just shy of 10 years of age (many would not know as they’ve impacted the lives of more than 50,000 students throughout Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties in that short time).
Now in the third year of the internship program, this year six students ages 16-19 from The Student ACES Center in Belle Glade, commonly referred to as The SAC, will intern with the City of Belle Glade from June 13 – August 31, 2022. Via the partnership, Student ACES executive leadership and members of the City of Belle Glade identified students – more than 20 students applied and completed the interview process.
This paid internship provides students with the unique opportunity to work for the government while learning valuable life lessons and career readiness skills. Even more unique, every Friday interns are required to participate in mandatory leadership training at The SAC.
“The leadership training opportunities serve to reinforce our commitment to shaping the leaders of tomorrow,” said Buck Martinez, co-founder of Students ACES and president of ACE Leadership Group. “It’s a unique aspect of our internship program that we firmly believe has a huge impact on the lives of these children as they continue to develop.”
Once again, Student ACES is identifying opportunities to reinforce the importance of giving back to the community while also giving back to the students and their future.
“It’s all about opportunity,” recognized Krissy Webb, Executive Director of Student ACES who founded the organization in 2013 with her father, Buck Martinez. “Students at The SAC are willing to work hard and give back and this partnership with the city of Belle Glade provides students invaluable opportunities to learn and grow as they prepare for the next phase of their journey.”
Tajelia Green, now in her third year at FAMU, sees the value in this opportunity for students in the community. Tajelia (commonly referred to as Peaches) oversaw the internship program working with Student ACES. Prime example of seizing the opportunity, but first the opportunity needs to be presented and earned. Peaches is a member of the inaugural class of The SAC and has been instrumental in program design, recruitment and student relations.
“Student ACES changed my life,” said Peaches. “This organization and all of the students and people involved mean so much to me. I’m eager to continue giving back throughout this summer and for years to come.”
TJ Moore, son of Glades Region Superintendent Angela Avery-Moore, thrived in the internship program last year with The City of Belle Glade. TJ is a constant at The SAC – he takes advantage of all that the organization has to offer; he is a role model.
Student ACES is extremely grateful for the partnership with the City of Belle Glade and the support of Robert Rease, Belle Glade City Manager.
To learn more about Student ACES, visit https://studentacesforleadership.com/.