Kent County High School students in the Next Generation Scholars program learn about Creafill's facilities in Worton as part of a career tour Tuesday, Nov. 28.
WORTON — A signature event for sophomore Next Generation Scholars students, the Career Tour of Kent County connects high schoolers to businesses in their backyard.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the 2023 Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) Career Tour hosted 27 Next Generation Scholars students from the 10th grade.
Through partnerships and MBRT volunteers, an itinerary for the annual tour is developed that combines the interests of the students with companies that represent a range of industries.
"Our mission is to connect students with businesses and future opportunities, so they can see all of the options," said Aundra Anderson, Next Generation Scholars program manager at Kent County High School. "What a great day full of learning and connections!"
This year's tour included visits with local businesses CreaFill and Modern Stone Age Kitchen.
Bill and Christina Schindler, owners of Modern Stone Age Kitchen in Chestertown, speak with Kent County High School's 10th-grade Next Generation Scholars about their business.
Students stopped by the Washington College Center for Career Development, Chestertown's town hall and the visitors center next door.
The students also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at Kent County's government operations, with visits to the offices Economic and Tourism Development, Finance and Human Resources, plus a chat with the Kent County Commissioners.
Tenth graders in the Next Generation Scholars program at the high school pose for a photo in front of the R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. Kent County Government Center in Chestertown after having toured the building and various offices.
Anderson was joined in chaperoning the trip by Brett King, Kent County Public Schools' new college and career counselor.
Students completed a survey after the tour. They all agreed or strongly agreed that they felt inspired and motivated to continue focusing on their studies and that they learned the importance of getting an education and how to apply it to a career.
Members of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education's Next Generation Scholars program at Kent County High School pose for a photo at Washington College during a tour Tuesday, Nov. 28.
When asked what they learned after the tour of Kent County, students wrote about the different job opportunities available here and how they do not necessarily have to choose one career path.
Anderson offered her appreciation to those local business and government leaders who participated in the tour.
"Thank you for your constant support of MBRT's Next Generation Scholars programming," Anderson said.
Next Generation Scholars from Kent County High School enjoy their swag bags from the county's Office of Economic and Tourism Development.