Verizon Foundation Teams Up With New England Aquarium to Enhance Teen Intern Experience

Verizon New England President Donna Cupelo and New England Aquarium President Bud Ris had breakfast with Myrtle, the 560-pound turtle at the aquarium, who was served by student intern Oriana Goodman-Schepps, a sophomore at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. The Verizon Foundation today gave $50,000 to support the aquarium's student internship program.

The Verizon Foundation and The New England Aquarium have teamed up to ensure that student interns not only receive a paycheck but also develop the 21st century skills needed to succeed in the future.

The New England Aquarium was awarded with a $50,000 grant from The Verizon Foundation to enhance the summer internship program at the aquarium. During the summer the aquarium employs 100 interns in a variety of different positions ranging from customer service jobs in the gift shop to giving presentations on different marine life.

The Verizon Foundation grant will provide support for workforce team building and supervisor training programs as well as technology and educational enhancements. Students will utilize the Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity.org as a resource in the development of their teaching and presentation skills.

"The Aquarium's enhanced internship program provides teens with a richer and more meaningful learning experience," said Donna Cupelo, New England region president of Verizon. "Verizon has a long history of employing student interns and supporting the education of our youth. This partnership provides us with an invaluable opportunity to engage students in an internship experience that will give them the important skills they need to succeed in the 21st century."

The New England Aquarium Teen Internship Program was formalized in 1992 and is one of the largest teen summer employers in Boston. The aquarium is on of the most prominent and popular aquariums in North America and is a recognized international leader in ocean conservation, education and research.