IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Spring 2019 | Page 80

SENIOR EXIT PANELS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL On May 21, Baldwin’s seniors will take a huge step forward in their career development when they make their final presentations to our senior exit panels. The panels are the finish line of a semester-long senior project that’s led by Baldwin social studies teachers Natalie Grattan, Adam Foote and Richard Deemer. Its goal is to ensure that Baldwin’s seniors are better prepared to pursue and attain the jobs of their dreams. “Our senior project is a rite of passage for every class of Baldwin seniors that helps them prepare logically and financially for life after high school,” says BWSD Director of Curriculum, Andrea Huffman. The project requires seniors to assess their job plans, seek feedback from professionals who work in their fields of interest, and crunch the numbers to be sure they can afford the education and certifications that their careers require. Then seniors make solo presentations to exit panels consisting of Baldwin’s teachers, administrators, and staff. Local volunteers often stop by to offer insights and guidance, especially if they have experience in a career field that Baldwin’s seniors are particularly interested in. In many cases, feedback from a senior panel has had a serious impact on a student’s career plans. “In 2017, one senior had a strong interest in entertainment law,” says Grattan. “During the exit panels, she happened to be matched up with an entertainment lawyer who was so impressed with her interview that she offered the student an internship that following summer, and once the student had begun college, she was offered a paid internship. Another student had been attending Steel Center Want to share your career expertise with our amazing seniors? Join us for our Senior Exit Interviews on May 21 st , during which our students can get feedback on their career plans from business owners, tradespeople, artists, doctors, lawyers & more! “There is no class anywhere in high school or college that teaches these real life skills.” — Allison Ryan, Class of 2015 “It definitely helped me prepare for my future.” — Audrey Eisel, Class of 2017 To volunteer as a mentor on May 21 st , please contact Janet Moik at [email protected] or 412-884-6300 x7261 for Career and Technical Education with a focus on auto body work, so the owner of a local body shop sat in on his panel. The owner was so impressed that he asked for the student’s number after the interview, called him that evening, and offered him a job! Whether it leads directly to a job or simply helps students understand what employers are really looking for, this type of professional contact is what we hope all students will have access to during the exit panels.” DISTINGUISHED HIGHLANDER HALL OF FAME GALA CELEBRATES THE DISTRICT’S 80th ANNIVERSARY The Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation will host the next Distinguished Highlander Hall of Fame Gala in March 2020, coinciding with the District’s 80th anniversary. The event will be held at the South Hills Country Club. The Distinguished Highlander Hall of Fame Gala is an awards ceremony that recognizes significant achievements of the alumni, faculty, staff, students, residents, and volunteers of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. To nominate someone as a Distinguished Highlander, visit https://bit.ly/2ypV7Iu. Alumni, stay connected to all the exciting happenings in the District. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bwsdalumni. 78 BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL