News release
On Thursday, June 1, 300 community members are expected to gather at the Marjorie Luke Theatre from 5:15-7 p.m. for Partners in Education’s red carpet themed Student Awards Reception & Ceremony. Held for the first time at the downtown theater, this annual event honors South County junior high and high school students who have successfully completed Partners in Education’s award-winning Paid Student Internship Program, as well as those who have been nominated by an educator for excellence in career education-related courses.
“Our business partners consistently tell us how important it is for employees to have solid problem solving and communication skills, as well as the ability to work on a team,” says Partners’ executive director Chelsea Pacino Duffy. “Students receive opportunities to develop these important skills through Career Technical Education in schools and the paid work experiences we coordinate. Both are key to preparing our community’s future leaders and business owners, making it important to celebrate the educators and business people who work together to make this hands on learning happen.”
Business leaders will present Emerging Professionals awards in four categories: business and finance, healthcare and science, specialized technology and design, and education and nonprofit. Presenters will include Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County Deputy Superintendent of Schools; Marybeth Carty, Venoco, Inc. Community Relations Manager; Kirsten McLaughlin, Cox Communications Public Affairs Manager; Sandra Murillo, Santa Barbara City College student and Partners in Education’s Paid Student Internship Program past participant; Wally Hofmann, Hofmann Architecture Partner; and Anthony Beebe, Santa Barbara City College President.
“The students we are celebrating at this event are forward thinking, future minded young people,” said Marybeth Carty, who is also this year’s Partners in Education Board President. “Whether through an internship or their hands-on classroom work in the areas of engineering, automotive, healthcare, and so many more, they are learning to do things that directly apply to the professional arena. When we talk about success, we often forget just how many different pathways there are that can lead you there. This event gives us a chance to celebrate them all.”
Tickets are $15 and all community members are welcome. To learn more about the event, visit partners.sbceo.org/student-awards.
About Partners in Education: Partners in Education fulfills needs in K-12 schools and youth programs through the coordination of volunteer and business resources. The organization was formed by local business and education leaders in 1977, and is administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office, an intermediate agency between the California Department of Education and the county’s 20 school districts.
