Students Sharpen Skills Through Engaging Summer Internships

The 2024 Bank of America Phoenix Student Leaders (pictured left to right) Valeria Lopez Marquez, Lily Bethay, Kaleb Gebresillasie, Nicholas Larrain, and Louisiana Borbon spent the summer interning at various Boys and Girls Club of the Valley locations (submitted photo).

In August, Bank of America announced the selection of five high school juniors and seniors from Phoenix as Student Leaders. This eight-week paid internship connects students with employment opportunities, skills development, and community service. Participants received valuable financial education through the Better Money Habits curriculum while interning at local nonprofits and earning competitive wages.

Scott Vanderpool, president of Bank of America Phoenix, emphasized the program’s dual benefit: it develops the next generation of skilled workers and supports local nonprofits. “These extraordinary young leaders gain practical work and life experience, fostering a diverse talent pool that engages with their communities,” he noted.

The selected students include Nicholas Larrain, a rising senior from Brophy College Preparatory. He completed 50 hours of community service and initiated an independent research project focused on addressing youth homelessness. He aims to identify root causes and the necessary support systems for affected individuals.

Kaleb Gebresillasie, another rising senior from Phoenix Country Day School, represents Arizona on the Board of Education’s Youth Advisory Board. He is advocating for policies that combat racial discrimination and promote civics education and financial literacy in schools, highlighting his commitment to a more equitable educational system.

Other participants are Lily Bethay from Notre Dame Preparatory High School, Louisiana Borbon, a recent graduate from Western School of Science and Technology, and Valeria Lopez Marquez from Maryvale High School. They spent their summer interning at various Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley, engaging with staff and youth in diverse programming.

These students recently returned from a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where they explored the collaboration between nonprofits, governments, and businesses to address local challenges. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the program in Phoenix, with over 100 high school students having benefited since its inception in 2004.