Three hallways in the cafeteria/gallery/music end of the high school bustled with tri-fold displays, presentations on open laptops and just about all of the 200+ seniors who participated in a Senior Independent Experience (SIE).
The five-week internship is administered by educators Vicky Weiss and Candy Wilmot, who are committed to providing seniors with the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.
The SEI Fair was a time for the Class of 2025 to share what they discovered and they had plenty to say. Here’s a ten of many ah-ha moments.
“I learned how to talk on the phone,” said Megan, who interned at Quintessential Mortgage. The same takeaway was echoed by Joe and Aidan, who chose to learn at Giner Reality. “It was interesting to hear the realtors’ professional tone and try it myself,” said Aidan.
“Office life – it’s way better than you’d think it was,” said Tommy, who interned at Criterion Management. “The guys there were fun!”
“I didn’t understand the concept of weeding before this,” said Theo, who helped grow for Farmer and the Fish.
Adeline was jazzed by the different types of millipedes she learned about, helping the educator at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. “One ejects iodine as a defense, the other – a tiny amount of cyanide!”
“I learned how to be a sound engineer, and did sound checks,” said Marina, who spent time at Smash Studios, NYC. “Oh, I also met Paul McCartney!”
Emerson honed his welding skills at Harvest Lawn Mower Repair.
Ben interned with the Elev8 Athletics, where he was involved with branding as well as coaching younger players. “I learned what a vector file was.”
Liliana learned how to communicate with nonverbal children, through her time at Elizabeth Seton Children's Center. “Some communicate with their eyes,” she said. “I would hold yes or no cards, and they would blink.”
Maya’s ah-ha from spending time at Stamford Health was observing how cardiologists speak and present themselves so that their patients could be honest with them.
More than 50 seniors volunteered around Katonah-Lewisboro Schools—shadowing music teachers, learning new robotics skills, trying out a possible career in education and more.
10. “Being a teacher is exhausting!” said Cade and Zoey, who shadowed Lisbeth Arce and Kendra Collins at the middle school.
