City Hall Internship Helps Student Improve PHS

POUGHKEEPSIE – Akayla Worme had a goal for her spring recess internship with City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison’s office: Learn to problem-solve better.

“I wanted to be able to problem-solve efficiently because we have a lot of events coming up,” said Poughkeepsie High School’s JROTC squadron commander and vice president of National Honor Society.

Not only did Worme achieve her goal, but she has already put it to use, applying those skills to help plan a PRIDE event at the school. “We came up with some issues and with the skills I learned I was able to sit down, clear my mind and listen so I can take the next steps,” Worme said.

The group wanted to hang a PRIDE flag but couldn’t hang it outside with the U.S. flag because the school didn’t have the right hooks to hang it in the proper place.

“We decided to order a flag and hang it inside,” Worme said.

Mayor Rolison offers these internships periodically and Worme found out about it through the Career Action Center at PHS and her NHS adviser.

As an intern, Worme was at City Hall Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of spring recess.

She was introduced to the mayor, toured City Hall and learned what happened on each floor, met key staff members and heard their job descriptions, spent time with the police department to understand how the government and police system work and sat in on a variety of meetings.

“I learned excellent communication skills – to listen rather than speak – and actively listen to people’s concerns so that I am better able to respond.

Worme said her discussion with police was important because she knows there are issues with the black and brown populations and she’d like to be able to help make changes.

“We thoroughly enjoyed having Akayla Worme as our intern during the district’s spring break. Akayla undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of her,” Rolison said. “She sat in on a number of meetings, including with our planning department and mayor’s staff. We all appreciated getting her perspective on the city – and what government can do to make people’s lives better.”

Upon graduation, Worme plans to study political science at Marist College with the goal of landing a job, possibly as a paralegal and then becoming a lawyer.

“I know I have the skills to go forward and do what I want to do. I will be in the political field because I care about the country,” she said, crediting her JROTC experience with helping her land the internship.

“JROTC really pushed me. If not for that program, I don’t think I would have been in the Mayor’s office. It helped me become a leader.”

Worme may get an opportunity to make a difference in the city, as she said Mayor Rolison talked with her about being part of youth groups and starting programs.

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