Newsletter

How did you spend your summer vacation?

This question is often asked of students when they return to school in the fall. Answers may include enjoying no homework, sleeping late, and play time. Not so with our enthusiastic PEACE Summer Interns! Summer 2023 for this dedicated group of students meant getting up early and going to their internships for four hours each day, Monday through Friday, where they practiced skills learned in the Campeones program and advanced their learning through the new PEACE Summer Internship (PSI) program.

PSI began just a few months ago as an extension of the Campeones program. Its purpose is to give Campeones graduates the chance to work in local companies and institutions, using and sharpening the skills that they diligently learned during their three years in Campeones. PEACE launched the new summer internship program in collaboration with DINE and Stone Contractors who offered the students the exciting opportunity to intern in different sections of their companies. In order to participate in PSI, students must graduate from Campeones, obtain a letter of recommendation from their teachers, and get parental permission. (For those unfamiliar with Campeones, this successful program offers exceptional middle school students extended classes at the end of the regular school day. Campeones classes are held at the community house in Punta de Mita and a healthy meal is provided before they begin.)

The diverse aspirations of our Campeones placed them in a wide variety of career areas such as administration, communications, architecture, hospitality, bakery, international cuisine, and event planning. Student internships included lessons on creating and reading architectural plans, making professional videos, event planning, crafting high-end pastry cakes, and even differentiating between and cutting different types of meat. They learned from professionals, who patiently and carefully taught the Campeones, reinforcing the students’ desires to continue studying and focusing on their future careers. All this has definitely motivated these Champions even more to continue preparing and striving to achieve their goals!

PEACE wholeheartedly thanks DINE and Stone Contractor for their invaluable support of this program. It is through their generosity that this program has been made possible.

In addition, we extend our most sincere thank you to Roselyn Ortez, program coordinator and volunteer, who through her enthusiasm and dedication, took care of the Champions and their needs during the program. Last, but certainly not least, we give a big round of applause to the parents of the Champions for once again entrusting PEACE to give their children the opportunity to follow their dreams.