Several Tara High School students were recognized for their outstanding work in marketing education and as career-technology interns during the school’s Student Employee/Employer Luncheon March 30. The event, which was held at the Oak Lodge Reception and Conference Center, was hosted by the Tara High School Career and Technical Internship and Marketing Cooperative programs.
Tara High School students who participated in Career Technical Education (CTE) or the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) programs during this school year and all the student's program employers were recognized during the luncheon. Thirty-seven seniors were involved in this year's programs with employment partnerships, including those with Hospice of Baton Rouge, Raising Cane's, IHOP, Smoothie King, Subway, V&R Services, Taco Bell and McDonald's. To finance the luncheon, students held a fund-raiser so all that in attendees could eat free.
Marketing Education Students of the Year Awards went to seniors Kailah Battley (first photo, second from left) and Steven Jones (second from the right), who were congratulated by district Superintendent John Dilworth (left), Tara High School Principal Luanne Estess (center) and district Director of Career and Technology Education Ronnie Pocorello (right). Both students had the highest average in Marketing Education and shared the award and displayed leadership on and off campus. Battley is employed at Calandro’s Supermarket on Perkins Road and recently was promoted to cashier. Jones is employed at Winn Dixie on Lobdell Avenue and leads his department. Both students maintained a 3.0-plus grade point average.
In addition, senior Lakendra Taylor (second photo, second from right) was awarded the CTE Internship Student of the Year Award by Dilworth, Estess and Pocorello (left to right). Tara High School Dean of Students and Athletic Director Barry Jackson won the CTE Internship Employer of the Year Award for his work with student non-paid interns. Those winning Consistently Employed Awards were seniors: Battley, Christian Gauthier (Raising Cane’s), Jones, Victoria Minor (Raising Cane’s), Brittany Variste (Domino’s Pizza) and Orielle Williams (Raising Cane’s).
Marketing Education (DECA) is a cooperative work and training program for junior and senior students who are preparing for employment in a marketing or distribution type career pathway. Students take a required marketing course in the morning and receive on-the-job training at a local business in the afternoon for at least 15 hours per week. Therefore, employment becomes an integral part of the education program.
The CTE internships program is designed for juniors and seniors who are planning to work in a career and technical pathway. Students have the opportunity to apply learned skills in the workplace. Paid or non-paid internships are provided in the student’s chosen area of concentration. The student has the opportunity to explore a single potential career or a combination of careers they may be considering. Participation in this program will earn the student two credits.
For more information, contact Melissa Williams at mwilliams@ebrschools.org or (225) 926-0529 or Denise Brown at dbrown1@ebrschools.org.
