Summer is nearly a wrap, and it’s onward to the new school year. Some students were productive with their summer. The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program. It connects NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.
NYC students who are 14 and 15 learn about career opportunities and make a difference in their communities through paid project-based activities. Those 16-years old through 24-years old are placed in paid summer jobs at a variety of industries and worksites to explore potential careers and add to their work experience.
On August 20 at Grand Street Campus (850 Grand Street), St. Nicks Alliance hosted a showcase for their project-based SYEP. The theme was Shakespeare. Students used this as inspiration to explore their choice of career focus in the areas of fashion, culinary, dance, photography, and theater.
Peyton McCoy picked fashion as her SYEP focus. She started sewing seven years ago, when she was eight. Students choosing fashion were given examples of Elizabethan era costume styles to choose from. Peyton chose Merchant House.
“I made a doublet, which is like a jacket, but I made it for a woman — which is traditionally made for men. I’ve always done dresses, so I wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” said Peyton. She revealed her first intention was to create an outfit for a man, but then decided, “why not change it for a woman?”
When asked if she wanted to pursue a career in fashion she said, “I want to be more like a creative director in things, like working for Ebony or Vogue or something like that.”
Jayden Kendall and Maya Brown chose the culinary option for their SYEP summer and made apple fritters for their project. Apple fritters can be traced not only to the Tudor period but also to medieval times.
“I chose a culinary focus because I realized I always wanted to do it, and I had to put my interest first. … I realized it’s such a good community to be around,” said Maya, who added she had a great time doing it, but she’s still keeping her options open in deciding on a career.
The showcase also presented performances from the dance and theater electives. In addition, to a cohort who chose to learn about the behind the stage/scenes work these fields have.
The Greenline 