Job Shadow Day at LA Legislature Encourages High School Students to Stay in School

Submitted by Rep. Richardson’s Office

    BATON ROUGE, March 18, 2011 — Louisiana legislators joined with Junior Achievement and AT&T this week to help high school students make the connection between success in the classroom and in the workplace.

    More than 30 students from Scotlandville and Central High Schools spent part of the day shadowing the legislators, touring the House and Senate chambers, and learning about the legislative process.  Legislators leading the job shadow programs were State Senators Dale Erdey and Danny Martiny and State Representatives Dalton Honoré, Erich Ponti, and Clif Richardson.

    The event was part of a multimillion dollar, multiyear job shadow program funded by AT&T in conjunction with Junior Achievement to help combat the nation’s alarming dropout rate. More than 1.2 million American students drop out of high school every year, with many saying they simply don’t see the relevance between school work and life success.

    “When students are able to participate in job shadowing programs, they are exposed to role models and invaluable workplace experience,” said Paula C. Bradley, Sr. Education Manager, Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge “We're so thankful to these legislators for contributing their time to ensure these students are able to see the many possibilities and options for their futures.”

    “I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to join these students from Scotlandville and Central High Schools today as they think about their futures,” said State Senator Dale Erdey. “For some, it might be a new determination to graduate rather than dropping out. For others, it might be a potential new career.”

    “These students and their classmates around the state are our state’s future,” said State Senator Danny Martiny. “Each of them has dreams, hopes and skills which are vital to Louisiana and which we must encourage and nurture. Job Shadowing helps students to see new possibilities and to challenge themselves to achieve their full potential.”

    “These young people represent the future,” said State Representative Dalton Honoré. “Their dreams, hopes and minds are among Louisiana’s most precious resources. That is why it is so important that all young people complete their education and reach their fullest potential.”

    “Education is the foundation upon which our future is built,” said State Representative Erich Ponti. “Job Shadowing helps expand students’ horizons for potential career paths, while also reminding them that each of those paths includes educational milestones, beginning with high school graduation.”

    “Fulfilling a dream begins with education and preparation for the future,” said State Representative Clif Richardson. “I am pleased the Legislature could reaffirm that in a very personal way today and encourage these students as they pursue their education and plan for their futures.”

    AT&T’s job shadow campaign is part of AT&T Aspire, a $100 million initiative to address high school success and workforce readiness.  Aspire is AT&T’s most significant education initiative to date, and one of the largest ever corporate commitments to address the specific issues of high school success and workforce readiness.

    For more information about the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative, please visit www.att.com/jobshadow.