BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Bradford High School and VyStar Credit Union celebrated four years of partnership at the school board meeting Monday with a check presentation.
The partnership provides paid internships to a select number of students, but a lot more in terms of financial literacy, leadership training and community service.
BHS Principal Chris Coffey thanked VyStar for being a “phenomenal partner.”
“Every single person we’ve ever worked with from VyStar has been exceptional. They’re just really incredible to work with, and it’s really neat to see our students really blossom within the programs,” he said.
VyStar Vice President of High School Programs Michael Rathjen was equally enthusiastic about the support of the school and district. He described the internship experiences as “super competitive” but also rewarding. Students earn course credit and a financial education while on campus, but on the job or in training they earn $15 an hour. Over the years, Rathjen said that conservatively amounts to $120,000 in compensation directly to the 44 students who have particpated in the yearlong internships.
Some graduating the program have even gone on to work for the company, and the end of this year means a fourth scholarship will be awarded, Rathjen said.
One of the students who went to work for VyStar while continuing her education was also present. Joy Murungi was in the first group of interns at BHS, and she now works as an academic support specialist at Santa Fe College. Both students present, Saniyah Thompson and Kaylah Vargas, are also part of the Upward Bound program, she said, and she helped prepare Saniyah to enter the program. Murungi said she was proud of what they are doing in the community.
“Financial literacy within a rural community is very important,” she said. Participants share what they learn with their fellow students.
Rathjen and the group were there to present a check from the High School Debit Card Give Back Program. Each of the participating high schools has a co-branded debit card available to anyone with a personal checking account with VyStar. For each purchase made with the card, 5 cents is donated to the corresponding school, up to $10,000 a year.
“So, this is one of the items they use to promote their student body, and this is more than just a piece of plastic, because we know how important it is to support the student body and the student community,” he said.
In the first two years since the debit card was released, the school received $200 a year. This year that grew to $2,132.
“It really is showing that the school is promoting the partnership, and the community is buying in to support the partnership. And every time you swipe, it’s like an ongoing fundraiser for the school, and nothing comes out of the person’s pocket,” Rathjen said.
Rathjen acknowledged the support of others present including VyStar Branch Vice President Jennifer Reddish and VyStar Assistant Branch Manager Kim Edmond whose leadership helps the students get through some of the tougher parts of the job. VyStar School Program Coordinator Morgan Wooley directly oversees the partnership. Becky Wilhite is the VyStar teacher at BHS.
