Jacob Meek, left, of Wawasee High School reads with Anderson Smith, a fifth grader at Syracuse Elementary.

News Release

SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School’s Work Based Learning program is a college and career readiness course designed to provide opportunities for students to explore and experience careers that require additional degrees or certifications following high school.

The emphasis of the experience is on applying skills developed through instruction and on learning new career competencies at the internship site. This paid or unpaid internship is tailored to the unique needs and interests of the student and is considered a high school capstone experience toward graduation and the fulfillment of the student’s meaningful future plan.

There are 60-80 juniors and seniors in the WBL program. Student of the Month for December is Jacob Meek. He is doing an internship at Syracuse Elementary School.

“Jacob does an awesome job of building relationships with students. Students are all excited when he arrives, and want to work with him,” said Jace Stewart, fifth grade teacher at Syracuse Elementary. “Jacob is always on time, and communicates well if there is a change in his schedule. He always has a positive attitude and is willing to do anything needed to help out. All great characteristics for someone leaving high school and entering the workplace or headed off to college.

“I have no doubts Jacob will be successful at whatever it is life calls him to do!”

Below are Jacob’s responses to questions posed to him by a WHS staff member.

About me? “I am 17, I have been going to Wawasee my whole life and I love it. I played baseball and football in high school, also I played basketball my freshman year.”

Why is this company good for your future? “This company is good for my future because it gives me some more options for what I want to do with my life. Because right now I think I have a plan of going into sports marketing.”

Future plans? “Go to Trine University and major in sports marketing.”

How has the WBL program helped you achieve goals? “It has helped me to know what I want to do with my life and how I want to live it. It gives me a variety of jobs to choose from.”