What's a Curator? Let Our Intern Show You!

Many people ask what's a museum curator? This fall we had an intern who can now answer that question! Alexis Harris a senior in the internship program chose the career path of becoming a museum curator. She had the privileged to create her very own postcard exhibit at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum located in downtown Wichita, Kansas.

Alexis spent hundreds of hours piecing together this exhibit and it's now on display and open to the public at the museum! Below was when I visited Alexis at the beginning of November and then the last pictures are of her completed exhibit in December.

If you have the chance and never been the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is very educational and fun to walk through, so don't miss out on the chance to swing by and look at one of our very own interns exhibits!

 
 

Interns in the News

In case you missed it this fall we had two interns who were featured in our local newspaper. Morgan Walther with Good Shepherd Hospice and Gabby Engels with Tall Grass Country Club and The Marriott. Great article! Pictured below is Morgan Walther, starting her day out at Good Shepherd Hospice.

Capping off the Semester with 17 Professional Interns

The end of the semester has now approached and we can successfully say we couldn't have had a more successful 1st year for the Andale High School internship program, and it's all because of these 17 wonderful and professional senior interns! There's no doubt that we were all a little uneasy and nervous at the beginning of the semester considering this was new and we had an idea of what we wanted it to become, but having the unknown sitting there in front of us was a little nerve racking.

I think back to when I told this group of interns that they would have to present for 15 minutes in front of an audience about their internship experience, and I think I got to see as many jaw drops and eye brow raises that a teacher could see in a semester! As the semester continued and everyone got settled into their roles at their internships, a level of professionalism and confidence began to grow inside each and ever one of the 17 interns. I began to see a group that started out in August and took the necessary steps to advance towards their soon approaching future. From resumes to mock interviews with business professionals we were able to create a level of professionalism that many of our mentors and businesses noticed!

I couldn't be more proud of this group as they've challenged themselves above and beyond and went out on a limb to try something new. I wanted to share with you three photos (when they didn't present they were allowed to wear "business ready" and when they presented they were to wear "Business Professional" without me telling you which is which can you figure out what "Business Ready" and "Business Professional" mean in attire terms), one is the first day of school and the second one is our last evening of internship presentations for the public. Not only are they a well dressed group of interns, but they've also gained real world experience that will guide them in their post-secondary future!

Pictured (Left to Right): Christian King, Cole Murray, Gabe Kuhn, Jacob Horsch, Cooper Bradbury, Zach Meyer, Aaron Kerschen, Kalista Mosher, Morgan Walther, Julie Archer, Gabby Engels, Ashley Burks, Chase Bartkoski, Alexis Harris, Kaylee Lies, Bailey Bugner and Myka Dalton.

 Pictured (Left to Right): Jacob Horsch, Cole Murray, Cooper Bradbury, Gabe Kuhn, Christian King, Aaron Kerschen, Zach Meyer, Myka Dalton, Gabby Engels, Julie Archer, Morgan Walther, Chase Bartkoski, Kaylee Lies, Ashley Burks, Bailey Bugner, Alexis Harris and Kalista Mosher.

Pictured (Back-Row, Left to Right): Kaylee Lies, Bailey Bugner, Morgan Walther, Julie Archer, Chase Bartkoski, Aaron Kerschen, Jacob Horsch, Cooper Bradbury, Gabe Kuhn.
(Front-Row, Left to Right): Gabby Engels, Ashley Burks, Myka Dalton, Alexis Harris, Kalista Mosher, Cole Murray, Christian King and Zach Meyer.

If you see these interns out and about make sure to recognize them for their hard work this semester and congratulate them on being the first graduating class of interns from Andale High School.

Go Indians!

-Mrs. Bergkamp

Four AHS Interns Land a Job

December 2nd was a sad day for our interns as they wrapped up their 12 weeks at their internship sites for the fall semester. Our interns found a place where at first was nerve racking as they were experiencing something they never had before, but quickly found a new "home" away from school that introduced them to their future careers they're looking to pursue. I know many interns walked out the doors on the last day sad to see that 12 weeks passed so quickly, and wished they had the same opportunity next semester; yet that's exactly what four interns got! 

We have had four interns who have been offered jobs to stay on at their internship sites and work after school and during the summer, an opportunity that is greatly appreciated and is very rare! These jobs were well deserving and a testament to how hard our interns worked this summer. On a side note, this wouldn't be possible without our mentors and internship sites! They have opened their daily work schedules to accommodate our students and to help them understand of what they're jobs entail giving them hands on experience which all of our interns greatly appreciated. 

In the upcoming months Gabby Engels will be working for Tall Grass Country Club where she interned for event planning. Cole Murray will start working as a Physical Therapy Tech at Advanced Physical Therapy. Jacob Horsch will continue his plumbing career and continue to work for L&B Plumbing. Lastly, but not least Zach Meyer will be working under Baughman Company for Civil Engineering this upcoming summer. 

 

Please congratulate not only these four interns, but all 17 of our interns for a great start to our program as they represented our school district in a very professional manner and I couldn't be more proud of them! 

-Mrs. Bergkamp 

Intern Morgan Walther- Good Shepherd Hospice (Hospice RN)

Hi, my name is Morgan Walther

The first time I wanted to be a Hospice nurse, was when my aunt Brie ,who is one, was telling me all about it. I’ve grown to have such a love for helping others in need. In some way, I feel like it is my calling. That I was “meant” to do it. There is no job in this world that I could think of being besides that.

I chose this career because I love what the people do. I love that the majority of them feel the same way I do about this job, or helping others. To reach this career goal, to my best abilities, to do the best I can and give all I have at times I am sure it will be tough, but I believe to reach it’s the compassion, the effort, and the drive. When being a Hospice nurse, It is critical that you give your all. You can’t give a little, you have to go all in, because these patients need us, they are depending on us to help them through this challenging time.

There is still many things that I am not aware of, and need to learn about in this career field, There is so much more to it than what I have seen, and what others have seen I am sure. But I would truly like to learn about the deep roots of it all, what truly goes on, how much is really done for them, to me, it’s not really about the money, it’s about doing what I love, and that’s what matters to most. I do tend to get nervous when I think about all I will see. I do believe that I am strong enough to handle it. But at times, watching someone in so much pain, nobody can just sit back and watch that and their heart not ache. I am nervous for my connection with the patience, of course that is my goal, to connect and make them feel just as normal and comfortable as they can be. But I don’t want to struggle at my job when I should be working over a patience uneasiness that could lead to death. I want to show them courage and hope, that everything just might be okay.

I worked as a CNA, and that is a huge advantage being able to see all that goes on, being able to physically help someone in need. Because for awhile I was uneasy about certain things, but I just grew to love the patience, I grew to love seeing the smile on their faces as others entered the room. Making someone feel so important, makes me feel like I am doing something right, and I’m  just as important.

I don’t really and haven’t thought much about other plans in mind, if this doesn’t work out or satisfy me the way I hoped for. My biggest thing, is I want to go into a place and make a difference, I want to go in and help others, I want to leave a place and know that I helped someone that day even if it was a little talk to help them get out of bed, or a big thing like helping them walk for the first time in ages. I could easily see myself working in a rehab facility, for addiction. It’s not my main thing I have in mind, but you are making a difference when you walk in there, People all around are in need of help, in need of comfort as their lives change widely over a certain period of time. To me, it is all about how you make certain situations, how you approach them, how you act during them, about them. So everyday, if you walk into it all, knowing that you could make your day that much better for someone in need, then it’s a good day.

Good Shepherd Hospice is where I will be attending my internship, Good Shepherd is not just a facility center, it is a form of care that addresses medical, emotional, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families.  Good Shepherd opened its first office in 1995. At Good Shepherd hospice, a motto they confide in and have, is “ We are givers, not takers, we are listeners, not talkers, we are promoters of others, not ourselves.” At Good Shepherd, we reach our goals. The average pay for a hospice nurse is $29-$32 dollars hourly.  Which estimates to about $48k-$52k a year. A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Services at hospice include: Home Health Aide Assistance

• Bereavement
• Pharmacy
• Childlife
• Medical Care & Pain Management
• Dietary Consultation
• Medical Supplies, Equipment & Respiratory Services
• Nursing Services
• Pastoral Care
• Child Life Program
• Physical, Occupational, Speech & Respiratory Therapy
• Social Work

I am extremely excited to begin this new journey in my life, I can’t wait to see what all the opportunities bring me.

Intern Cole Murray- Advanced Physical Therapy

Hi, my name is Cole Murray, and I’m a senior at Andale High School. I was born in Hays, Kansas, and moved to the Andale area around the age of ten. My family consists of my mother, father and sister who is three grades below me. I am a very active member in my community, participating in several clubs and sports including cross country, track and field, Student Council, National Honors Society, and CYO. I will be interning this fall semester at Advanced Physical Therapy in West Wichita, and I will also be making several visits to a P.A. office during the course of this semester. My dreams have wavered over the years from being a teacher to a entrepreneur to a writer and so on. But in the last year, I have found, through the help of many science courses, that the healthcare field is the one I have settled onto. I’m so intrigued as to how the human body works and how we as humans are able to repair it from sickness and injury. I have not yet decided what specific career fits me best yet, so this internship will help me decide if physical therapy or physician’s assistant is the route I will choose.

Physical therapists and physician’s assistants both require schooling after high school. Physical therapists are required to receive both a Bachelor’s degree and a DPT. A DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree which will take about three years in order to earn. A P.A. will have a similar education path: a bachelor’s degree and a two-year P.A. program. I am planning on earning my Bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University and going to Wichita State for their P.A. program. These programs will not be easy, and I understand this. Ever since I can remember, I knew that I would do whatever it takes to make sure I have a successful career in what I decide to do. Perseverance and determination are two words I would use to describe myself. My actions in high school have shown this I am able to participate in many school activities while holding a job on the weekends and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I will continue this showing of hard work in order to achieve my end goal and further still throughout my career.

While interning at Advanced Physical Therapy, I would like to observe the work environment of a physical therapist, what starting salary I should expect, and how the job grows and changes as time goes by. Being able to see first hand the working environment will be one of the deciding factors of figuring out what career I choose. The work environment is important to me because this is the career I would choose until I retire. Salary isn’t as important to me, but I would like to be able to provide for myself and my future family. Being able to travel and see the world is important to me, and I would like my family to have those experiences. Technology does not stand still; it evolves, and as it evolves, physical therapists will need to be able to adapt. I would like to see how physical therapy has changed over the past twenty years and new ways it is changing. Being able to see the progress the medicinal and technological fields have made will open my eyes to what I am getting into.

The only part of this internship that scares me is the fact that I really don’t know what I am getting myself into. I know what I should expect, but until I am actually in that office, I do not know how this experience will go. Getting along with the coworkers there will not be a problem for me. I work in customer service at a local wildlife park  and am able to connect with people easily. Being able to start and hold conversations with ease will not only help me with coworkers but with patients as well and provide them with a positive experience on the path of healing. I learn with ease and will be a dependable worker. I have been trained in several different positions at my current workplace. This shows how I am able to pick up new skills fast and that I am someone our managing team can rely on.

Advanced Physical Therapy has many different locations throughout the Wichita area, including their West Wichita location near Bishop Carroll High School where I will be interning. They deal with injuries ranging from aches and pains to those that require surgery. Advanced Physical Therapy is also a member of PAK (Physician Alliance of Kansas) whose main goal is to provide quality health care that is cost effective.

Intern Kalista Mosher- Speech Swallowing and Voice Center (Speech Pathologist)

Hi my name is Kalista. The first time I knew that I wanted to be a speech pathologist was when I was volunteering at Prairie Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center.  The therapist had just gotten out of college and I had an idea of what I wanted to do, so I started asking questions.  She had graduated as an occupational therapist assistant (OTA), and I had been exploring this field of work and thought it was very interesting.  I then saw the therapist sit one of the kids down and start therapy involving speech, and language.  I saw this and knew that’s what I wanted to do; I wanted to help people gain or regain this skill that comes naturally to me.  Volunteering here was the best decision I have made because helping the kids and watching them grow in strength and in themselves is the best feeling I could experience.

I get to intern at Speech Swallowing and Voice during this school year, and I am very excited to start. Interning here will give me that much more for college, and it gives me an idea of what the job entails.  I researched the Speech, Swallowing, and Voice center, the place of my internship and their services include therapy for dysarthria (slurred speech), facial weakness (Bells Palsy), stuttering, swallowing and many more.  Many people may go to a speech pathologist because they had a stroke.  Some kids go to therapy because they may have autism or cerebral palsy; these different diseases may complicate the skills of speech, language and swallowing.  Some adults go because they have parkinson's disease and may need help swallowing.  Some of the other reasons to go to therapy is because the person is not understanding what someone is telling them.  There are many other reasons to go to speech, voice, and swallowing therapy.  

In order to be a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) the person has to get a Masters Degree.  I have decided to go to Kansas State University, or Wichita State University in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program.  I really want to learn about all the different aspects of SLP.  I get to intern at the Speech Swallowing and Voice center during this school year from september to december, I am very excited to start.  I’ll be working with Susan Kennedy and Delane Huett, the owners of Speech, Swallowing and Voice. I will be helping with therapy, working with both adults and pediatrics.  I will be in school for about 6 years before I can receive my Masters. Doing this internship means I won’t be going into my carreer blind.  In order to be a speech pathologist I have to take anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, language acquisition, audiology, communication disorders, speech and language assessment techniques, phonetics and american sign language, aural rehabilitation, dysphagia, speech and language research, motor speech disorders, fluency, speech disorders in children, and language assessment and intervention.

The job outlook for an SLP is 21% from 2014-24.  In 2014 there were 135,400 speech pathologists in the US.  According to MGH Institute Speech Pathologist can be hired in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, or they can be a traveling SLP who goes to houses to work with patients. Washington DC is 14% higher than average with a salary of $101,000 SLP’s according to salary by state.  The average salary for a speech language pathologist is $ 82,000 for a speech language pathologist.   An SLP inpatient acute cares salary is about $62,000.  An SLP in a school's salary is $82,000 as well.

I am kind of nervous to start interning just because it is a new place and a new environment.  I am, however, excited to learn new skills and meet new people.  Everyone that I have talked to said that Speech Language Pathology is so much, and it is very rewarding. I am super interested in all the different aspects of Speech Language Pathology and learn more about the differences between doing therapy with pediatrics and adults.

I really enjoy working with kids and I would enjoy the reward of seeing the adult get better.  This is why  I was volunteering Prairie Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center. Working with the adults may be more thankful because they had these skills at one time and kids are just kind of all over the place at times. I would enjoy working with both adult and pediatrics.  I love helping people get better, or accomplish something that they need.