from staff
Dozens of high schoolers were thanked for their time and sent packing Friday — sort of.
Of the 214 that began Mayor John Peyton’s summer jobs program, 191 were sent off with an appreciative half-day seminar that included certificates and lunch. Annette Davis, the chief of training and organizational development for the City, ran the program.
“It went really well,” said Davis. “I thought it was outstanding and awesome.”
Since shortly after getting out school, dozens of area high school students have been working for the City in various capacities. Five days a week, they had to get themselves up and to work. Many worked in the library, but others spent their summer working for Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Human Resources, the Environmental Resource Management Division and the Public Information Office.
Davis said the students were some of the best in the city.
“They had to fill out applications and we did background checks on everyone,” she explained. “These kids are the cream of the crop.”
Peyton intends to continue the program next summer and has set lofty goals.
“The mayor’s goal is to have 1,000 kids next summer working for the City and private businesses,” said Davis, adding some parents even expressed their appreciation for the program. “One parent showed up and told me that her son had learned so much. He literally grew up in front of her this summer. He had to take the bus and the trolley and go through the training. She was very excited.”
Friday’s send-off party was sponsored by area businesses. Publix provided vouchers for water and candy, JTA provided bus passes, the Jacksonville Port Authority paid for gift certificates and accountant Darryl Jackson and First Coast BBIC paid for the pizza.