They were on TV
Academy of Finance (AOF) students at Como welcomed Wells Fargo employees to school last month for an all-day networking event.
Leaders from Wells Fargo guided AOF students from each grade level in small group discussions, mock interviews, resume-building lessons and soft skills refinement. Coordination between Como AOF instructor Kris Somerville, Wells Fargo and Junior Achievement’s “JA Inspire” outreach program created a large-scale, impactful experience at Como for more than 300 students. Reporter Jessica Miles from KSTP-TV was on site interviewing students and Wells Fargo representatives. A feature story was produced for evening and morning news broadcasts.
Senior Janeijha Jones said developing confidence in professional situations will serve all students well, regardless of what they study in the future.
“The communication skills we get are huge because a lot of young people in this era don’t know how to talk to people or approach someone,” Jones said.
Senior Robert Adams added that joining AOF was one of the best decisions he has made in high school. The program has given him confidence to reach for his goal of being an entrepreneur.
Close Up students are bagging groceries to raise funds for trip
AP Government and Politics students are fundraising for the March Close Up trip to Washington, D.C. Students will bag groceries for customers at the Roseville Cub Foods on Larpenteur Avenue Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Donations from Cub customers will help defray the expense of the educational adventure.
Also, throughout the month of January, proceeds from all sales at Sunrise Banks’ Park Perks Coffee Bar will support the Como students’ journey to the nation’s capital. Tasty treats and coffee are located inside the bank at 2250 Como Ave. in St. Anthony Park.
Twenty-six seniors will participate in the Close Up program, which promotes education in democracy and uses the capital as a living classroom. Throughout the week, Como students will connect their learning through study visits to monuments and memorials, have meetings with elected officials, policy experts and journalists, while representing Minnesota in their peer groups with other high school students from across the nation.
Apps Club meets weekly
Como girls interested in technology applications and who want to learn more about writing code have started up the Como Technovation Apps Club again this winter. The club meets weekly for three months and includes mentorship from a field expert, the use of the App Inventor product and coordination from club adviser Liz Riggs. The culminating event is participation in Minnesota’s Technovation Appapalooza, where students showcase their app to local business and industry leaders at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Last year, one of Como’s teams won at the Minnesota event by developing an efficient language translator. They advanced to the national level of competition, which was evaluated virtually by a committee of judges. This year, the returning girls aspire to develop a new app that serves people in another effective way. They also hope to have even more girls participating in the fun, instructive and useful club activity.
Come shadow at Como
Prospective students who are interested in experiencing a day at Como Park Senior High School are invited to shadow a current student. Students may shadow Jan. 10, 11, 17 and 18, as well as Feb. 7 and 8. Parents of students who would like to shadow may register on the school website, www.comosr.spps.org. Under “Families,” click the “shadowing and tours” link. Any questions can be referred to Dede at patricia.hammond@spps.org or 651-774-6825.
