The third season of the Bee-Prentice Challenge is underway this month.  Z-BTHS Juniors will be competing
for summer internships and one will also win a $5,000 scholarship.  A partnership between Z-BTHS, the City
of Zion and our local business community, the Bee-Prentice program is designed to instill valuable life skills that will help a student win the career they want instead of settling for the job they can find.

Through a series of workshops and projects the students will learn how to dress and interact during interviews, how to write a resume, consider business ethics and communication skills.  They will also have
the chance through team and individual projects to experience customer service and marketing experiences. 

As new businesses locate in the area offering management and even ownership opportunities, they will expect and require skilled labor.  Since we know nearly 80% of Z-BTHS graduates stay in the local area it seemed appropriate to help the two parts compliment one another.  Higher paying jobs going to our local grads will in turn give them the income to support local business, buy homes, raise their families in their
own community with pride. 

The program requires a 2.0 GPA and no current disciplinary issues.  It is open only to Z-BTHS juniors on track to graduate and they must agree to take a summer internship of at least ten hours a week for four weeks with a Zion business.  Applicants submit an essay, go through an interview and then agree to participate
in four workshops before they ever get to the job site.  It is a difficult, demanding process but one that will provide them with credentials, confidence, skills and in at least one case, a scholarship and recognition
as the 2008 Bee-Prentice.

We invite readers to follow the process from beginning to end at www.beeprentice.com.  Streaming video, comments, interviews, etc. will be available and we hope you will support every one of these brave souls that are willing to shape their own future.  We are proud of every student who has already completed the two prior seasons and look forward to an exciting year in 2008.   Please support the local businesses that are making jobs available to these students.  They will be reported in the press and online as well as window signs with the slogan, “Tomorrow Bee-gins Today”  Thank you to all of our volunteers, parents, teachers
and business leaders who see the potential in our Bees!

Gaining the support of local business is key to the Bee-Prentice program.  Representatives from  Country Inn & Suites, National City, GoFLO.com, Culver's, Dairy Queen and Pilar Networks attended a brief presentation to learn more about how they could 'bee' involved.  If you would like your business included please contact the city through Delaine Rogers, Director of Economic Development (left) or Sonolito Bronson, Executive Assistant (right).	Sonolito Bronson and Delaine Rogers review the eligibility requirements of the Bee-Prentice Challenge with Z-BTHS students.	Interested Juniors consider filling out the Challenge application... and what they would do with $5000!	Cal Schneider of Z-BTHS Administration arranges for every Junior class member to attend a presentation in February to learn about the Bee-Prentice Challenge. Students are given the requirements and goals of the program and invited to ask questions.  Details of the program are available at www.beeprentice.com