Project SEARCH students celebrate graduation from workforce readiness internship program

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Seven Brunswick County high school seniors with learning disabilities are celebrating graduation after completing a workforce development program designed to prepare them for future careers.

The students, members of the sixth graduating class of the Project SEARCH internship program, were honored Wednesday evening during a ceremony at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.

Project SEARCH is a year-long internship program that gives students hands-on experience working in several hospital departments, including food and guest services, transportation and the emergency room. The program is aimed at helping students develop workplace and life skills as they transition into employment opportunities after high school.

“Be who I’ve taught you to be, professionals with integrity. Stand with confidence,” said instructor Tianna Buie to her students during the ceremony.

Graduate Gabriel Hertzog said the experience helped him build confidence and professionalism while learning practical job skills.

“I would cut sandwiches, sweep the floors, fill linen carts up with various linens and deliver boxes to different departments,” Hertzog said. “How to be professional, how to mind my business.”

Buie said watching students succeed after graduation has been one of the most rewarding parts of her role.

“It’s remarkable,” Buie said. “I get so filled up because I have a deep connection with all of my students and watching them strive and then they come back after they’ve graduated and we still have the connection and they tell me about all the things. You know, we saw that we had a baby here, one of our students is getting married. It just makes me, it makes my heart proud.”

Hertzog said he plans to continue his education at WorkSource East, where he will enroll in a culinary training program.

Buie said approximately 50 students have graduated from Project SEARCH since the program began in 2020.