UN-BEE-LIEVABLE!

ZBTHS Presentation

The third season of the Bee-Prentice Scholarship Competition was filled with excitement, hope and challenge as twenty five Z-BTHS juniors competed for the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.  The path began last January when students were invited to a special seminar to learn about the program that would require nearly nine months of dedication, patience and on the job tenacity.

The Bee-Prentice Challenge is modeled after the popular television reality show, “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump.  In partnership, the City of Zion, Zion Benton Township High School and the local business community developed the program to give our high school students essential life skills and actual experiences that will help them obtain the career they want instead of settling for a job they can find.

The path begins with a competitive essay submittal and personal interview.  Only students with a 2.0 or better GPA and no discipline issues are allowed to enter the program.  Once admitted into the process, students attend a series of ‘boot camps’ that focus on various aspects of real life employment situations.  There are lessons in business protocol, resume writing, what to wear…
and just as importantly, what not to wear! Students create their own marketing campaign for a company or product and then each team must solicit online votes for their entry.  The team with
the highest number of votes wins that particular challenge.  The workshop that always seems to bring the most surprises is the one-day drop in job experience.  Students are partnered with a
local business for a single day and must perform whatever tasks are most needed while they are on staff’.  Some will learn behind the scenes secrets of retail while others tackle service industry
or even restaurant and public service opportunities. 

Reviewing Applications

One aspect of the program involves being part of a charitable organization because our hope is that the students learn to appreciate that as corporate employees or owners one day they have an obligation to give back to the community, to share their opportunities with others who may not have had these advantages.  This experience has ranged from rehabbing a Zion home through Rebuilding Together (formerly Christmas in April) to volunteering at Nostalgia Days. 

The largest portion of the program is the paid summer internship which requires the student to actively compete for a limited number of actual jobs.  This season ten companies were involved and the participants had to contact the owners/managers and arrange for their own interviews.  This was a new process for the program and designed to make the experience as realistic as possible.  Those students that obtain a summer job and held it throughout the challenge period were then evaluated by the employer, secret judges and the Bee-Prentice panel. 

In September, all of the accumulated scores were tallied and the top five were invited for a final exit interview.  Every student in the program must be commended for his or her integrity and dedication.  This is a very long and demanding program that challenges them to be proactive, open to criticism, go to work when their friends are enjoying the summer vacation and all along knowing only one can win the scholarship.

It was a very difficult process for the panel as well and throughout the program the staff at Z-BTHS, particularly Cal Schneider, Claire Erickson and Chris Clark, offered every level of support and insight.  Finally, a champion was selected and then announced during the half-time show of the Z-BTHS vs Warren homecoming game on October 3rd.  All of the remaining Bee-Prentice students gathered on the field and were recognized for their accomplishments, and while all are deserving and we know they will go on to make the Zion Benton community even more proud of them, only one could recieve the award.

Bee-Prenctice 2008 Champion Katie Wardlow

The 2008 Bee-Prentice Champion is Katherine ‘Katie’ Wardlow for her ability to remain positive, focused and add genuine creative energy to any task at hand.  Her internship with the Zion Area Chamber of Commerce will have lasting influence for years to come.  We congratulate Katie and her family for accepting the Bee-Prentice Challenge and we wish all of the participants the very best.  The are all winners and will have the support of the Mayor’s Office through recommendations for scholarships and employment references for as long as they ever have a need. 

It was an honor to meet all of the students who have participated over the last three years and we thank the business community.  Please visit www.beeprentice.com for a full listing of the students and our business partners.  Without their sincere interest in the future welfare of our children as our leaders and business owners the Bee-Prentice program would not be possible.  We wish all of the students the very best and look forward to Season Four.  If you are currently a Z-BTHS junior, …’bee’ ready for next spring when you will have the chance to take the Bee-Prentice Challenge!