|
June 23, 2008 - PENCIL, a non-profit
organization that builds and
supports customized
relationships between business
leaders and principals and
1800mattress.com, the
nation’s leading tele-retailer
of mattresses and bedding
accessories, have partnered to
provide 20 students at Newcomers
High School an internship that
promotes creativity, teamwork,
organization and time management
skills.
PENCIL’s mission, to inspire
innovation and transform public
schools, coupled with
1800mattress.com’s unique
“Apprentice” style internship
provides the students real world
experience and a stage to
compete for scholarship money to
continue their education.
“We pride ourselves on not only
servicing our customers, but
also to provide a service to the
community in which we live and
do business,” said Napoleon
Barragan, founder and CEO.
“Since 2005, we have awarded
more than $100,000 in
scholarships to students through
the PENCIL program.”
More than 80 students from
Newcomers High School have taken
part in the program with
1800mattress.com. This year’s
program, which runs from
February through June, consists
of 20 students from nine
different countries that are
divided into four teams of five.
Midway through the internship,
the groups interview various
executives from within the
company and come to a consensus
on a topic for their group
research project. The team then
works on researching information
for an essay and a live
presentation delivered in front
of their colleagues, teachers,
mentors and families.
The essay, slideshow and
presentation are evaluated by a
panel from 1800mattress.com that
rate the various teams on their
work. The top team’s members
each receive $1,500 scholarships
and the other teams receive
$1,000, $750 and $500,
respectively.
The top prize went to a group
whose presentation was Web site
focused entitled "Chronology of
the 1800matrress.com website and
practical recommendations." The
five student group received
$1,500 college scholarships each
and the students hail from
China, Myanmar, Mexico,
Bangladesh and Ecuador before
moving to the United States.
“The partnership that
1800mattress.com has developed
with Newcomers High School over
the last five years exemplifies
that commitment to education and
the long-term development of
future business leaders,” said
PENCIL president Michael
Haberman. “It serves as a model
for the hundreds of other
partnerships in our network by
demonstrating the unique value
of experiential learning
opportunities.”
“We have kept in contact with
many of our past interns and
they have related how their
experience has helped give them
a leg up in their desired
field,” said Daniel Aguirre,
internship program director.
“Three students have completed
the program and have come back
to work for the company and we
feel confident that number will
increase over time. We are
providing these students with
the business needed to succeed
in business.”
Founded in 1976,
1800mattress.com is the leading
national, multi-channel
(internet, chat, call center and
showrooms) retailer of
mattresses, box springs and
bedding products. Its
award-winning customer service
is well chronicled in thousands
of media articles and books.
For more information, please
visit:
www.1800mattress.com. |
