BackBerea High Schoolers Explore New Work Opportunities At Walgreens
This summer, two Berea High School students, Jaydee Nicole and Kaila, made the most of their time at Walgreens in Berea through LEAP's Summer Youth Work Experience (SYWE). Over five enriching weeks, they gained hands-on experience while supporting the store staff in maintaining its front area and engaging with customers, all under the guidance of LEAP Employment Specialist, Tom.
A Day in the Life at Walgreens
Each shift began with meeting their LEAP job coach, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. The girls kicked off their responsibilities by ensuring the products on the shelves are neatly displayed and inviting to customers. They then transitioned to restocking, where they took great pride in keeping the sales floor well-stocked and organized.
When reflecting on their tasks, they both expressed a clear preference for restocking. "It [restocking] entertains me, and I can move around and find things," Jaydee Nicole remarked.
Among the various aisles in the store, the candy section stood out as their favorite to restock. Kaila attributed her fondness for the candy aisle to her sweet tooth!
Both students enjoyed their time at Walgreens, appreciating its convenient location that made commuting easy. However, they are both exploring their long-term career paths and whether this environment might suit their future goals.
Future Aspirations
Kaila dreams of a career working with animals. She shared her top five favorite animals: lions, tigers, snow leopards, cheetahs, and jaguars. At home, she has a Yorkie named Tina, but her heart also lies with Shar Peis and Pugs. Her wish to adopt a pet snake, a boa constrictor, is yet to be approved by her mom. Meanwhile, Jaydee Nicole is still on a journey to discover her ideal career. Both girls have other hobbies they like to pursue outside of their role.
Hobbies & Interests: A Shared Passion for Video Games & Sports
Outside of their work commitments, Jaydee Nicole and Kaila find common ground in video games and sports.
In gaming, they thrive on creativity, particularly in Roblox, where they love crafting their own worlds. While they both previously dabbled in Minecraft, Jaydee Nicole opted out due to the game's costs. Instead, she dabbles in games like Five Nights at Freddy's and Fortnite, which are part of her gaming repertoire. Kaila, on the other hand, continues her Minecraft adventure and enjoys watching related YouTube content for inspiration.
Sports also play a significant role in their lives. Jaydee Nicole has fond memories of playing volleyball—she hopes to jump back into it one day, relishing the opportunity to play various positions. Kaila, meanwhile, has a strong passion for swimming.
Additionally, Jaydee Nicole has an interest in art, although she feels she hasn't had the mentorship she needs to explore this passion fully.
Both students just started the new school year at Berea High School, where Jaydee Nicole is a sophomore and Kaila is a junior. We wish them both an exciting school year, and we look forward to supporting them in their future endeavors!