BHS interns showcase summer projects at Knox Co. Chamber luncheon

Barbourville, KY - High school interns from Barbourville Independent had the opportunity to showcase their summer projects at the Knox County Chamber of Commerce’s July meeting, held at Union Commonwealth University. The students participated in The Rural Postsecondary Economic Development (RPED) program, which offers college and career readiness opportunities for high school students within the Promise Zone counties of eastern and southeastern Kentucky, including summer internships with local employers through the Earn and Learn instructional model.

“The work these students have accomplished this summer is truly commendable,” said Dr. Jason Reeves, Program Director of RPED. “Their dedication to learning new skills and contributing to our community is something we’re all very proud of.”

This summer, Barbourville students participated in the development of a mobile app for the Barbourville Tourism Department. The app, designed to guide users on a “Selfie Crawl” of Barbourville’s historic landmarks, involved the students in research, content writing, photography, and graphic design. During the Chamber meeting, attendees received a preview of the app, which is set for official release later this fall.

In addition to their work on the app, students discussed their summer experiences at various employer host sites, including the Knox County Library, Union College Boys and Girls Club, Barbourville City Clerk’s Office, and several local businesses. These internships provided students with a paid 40-hour workweek, allowing them to develop both technical and soft skills relevant to their positions.

The RPED program was overseen by Dr. Jason Reeves, Program Director, Dr. Diana Mills, Program Coordinator, and Josh Cole, Lead For America Fellow.