Thirty-four business leaders from across the Santa Clarita Valley came to Golden Valley High School Thursday night for the William S. Hart Union School District Regional Occupational Program “Interview Night.”

The top 70 students, nominated by each ROP teacher, were interviewed by a panel of leaders in one of eight career pathways: Arts, Media and Entertainment; Engineering, Transportation and Building Trades; Fashion and Interior Design; Health Science Practitioner; Health Science Support; Manufacturing and Product Development; Marketing, Sales and Service; and Public Service.

“Interview night provides our industry members with the opportunity to engage with future members of their workforce: our outstanding ROP students,” said Dr. Mariane Doyle, Career Technical Education Administrator for the Hart School District. “It is truly at the intersection of collaboration between business and education that we see the highest yield in student development.  With real world relevance and the opportunity to develop critical relationships, interview night can be the catalyst for success for several of our students as well as foresight into the future of tomorrow’s workforce for our local employers.”

Panelists were asked to rank each student being interviewed, with the top three designated gold, silver and bronze medal winners.  Each of the gold medalists will receive a $250 cash prize and will have their evaluations reviewed by Hart District Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht, who will then choose the top student and bestow the Superintendent’s Award at the Outstanding Student Recognition night on April 29.

“Providing students real world experiences that help to prepare them for meaningful careers is one of our most important responsibilities” said Vicki Engbrecht, Superintendent of the Hart School District. “Our outstanding ROP program is part of the way we provide these experiences.  I am very impressed with the level of preparation that our top ROP students have achieved.  They are very worthy of this recognition!”

The ROP Outstanding Student Recognition Night will be held at La Mesa Junior High on Wednesday, April 29, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Hart District Regional Occupational Program is a public education service that provides work-based learning and career guidance to students in the Santa Clarita Valley who are 16 years of age or older. Students may enroll in ROP to learn entry-level employment skills, explore careers, and/or to prepare for advanced training programs. Priority enrollment is given to high school seniors. Adults may enroll in classes on a space-available basis.