A third of our kids don't go to college, and we don't apologize for that," said Matt Buckwalter of the student population at Linville Hill Christian School, where he serves as head of school. "We don't believe 100% or even 50% should go." Buckwalter went on to explain how the 80-year-old school prepares students for life after graduation by helping them discover their interests and developing critical skills. Part of that preparation utilizes internship opportunities with area businesses.

The internship program at Linville Hill, which is a critical part of student preparation for the real world, is overseen by Michele Mabus, director of career development and internship with Linville Hill. According to Mabus, the gist of the program can be found in a few questions. "It's really answering 'who am I?' and 'where do I fit?'" explained Mabus, who noted that the internship program involves a variety of opportunities to help students discover their passions and grow into applying what they have learned to a career. "They find a place where they come to life," she stated. "(They discover) a gift that they have, and it opens them up to a maturity level of understanding that this is a transferable skill." On a deeper level, Mabus noted that a student's growth through the program results in "a sense of identity and brings them into the community in a way that is life-giving and makes them feel they have a place."

To arrive at that place, students begin by learning soft skills - character building, collaboration, teamwork, communication, and problem solving - as they serve as ambassadors for Linville Hill and perform projects in the community at places like Woodcrest Retreat and The Factory. Students also take part in one-day job shadowing experiences.

Mabus has connected with about 300 area businesses to create internship opportunities for students to find their passions in the workplace. Student Victor Lohr is one of 33 Linville seniors who have gone through the program. Lohr tried his hand at installing flooring and working in landscaping, but he thinks he has settled on a career in auto mechanics. "I enjoy doing that," he noted. "I like working on something different every day."

Senior Stephen Smucker thought he might want to go into construction, until he tried it. Working at a shed shop and a construction company gave him experience in the trade. "I did enjoy the work, but I realized it's not something I want to do full time and long term," said Smucker, who added that he learned that he likes hands-on work in the outdoors and that he doesn't mind getting dirty.

Emily Martin's internship experiences working at a day care and doing home health visits with her mother, who is a nurse practitioner, led her to discover her passion for helping others. "I learned that I thrive on deep, meaningful relationships, and I have a passion for getting to know others and caring for them," said Martin, who added that the effort confirmed her interest in psychology and counseling and her plans to attend the University of Valley Forge to major in both subjects.

According to Mabus, one aim of the program is to give students a chance to examine situations within the region and look for creative ways to help rectify them. "Our entrepreneurship class is beginning to write a business plan that identifies a significant need and finds a resolution to that need," she explained, noting that the exercise is intended to help grow a student's ability to think critically, ask good questions, and solve problems. "As they go out where the Lord leads them, they are prepared with their own unique set of gifts to be a part of a community and have an impact," she said.

Buckwalter noted that the internship program was part of the idea for adding a high school to the elementary program. This idea began to form in the spring of 2015 when the school surveyed parents. When administration learned that parents were interested in a high school program, Buckwalter engaged in discussion with local businesses. He learned that a four-day academic program with a fifth day devoted to internships as an elective spoke to the need for more young people to enter certain trades, as well as helping to fulfill the mission of the school.

Linville Hill Elementary School is located at 295 South Kinzer Road, Paradise, and the Upper School is located at 835 Houston Run Drive, Gap. More information about Linville Hill and the programs it offers may be found at http://www.linvillehill.org.