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Since 2021, NEXTDC has hosted over 140 interns through the Career Ready Internship program. For 6 weeks over the summer, high school juniors experience what it's like working for NEXTDC and our partners at Destination DC, including going behind the scenes of dozens of businesses and presenting weekly to professionals from across the industry. 

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2025 Career Ready Interns

  • Claudia Burgess, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)
  • Da'Mya Holmes, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)
  • Destiny Israel, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)
  • Heldena Tsehaye, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)
  • Heydi Medina Ferman, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)
  • Jesus Crespo-Castillo, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)
  • Kobi Sana, Monmouth University
  • Layla Armstrong, McKinley Tech High School (Mass Media)
  • Luiz Zelaya Velasquez, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)
  • Micah Bracey, Jackson-Reed High School (Mass Media)
  • Phoenix Hollingsworth, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)
  • Samiah Penny, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)
  • Sean Baltimore, IDEA Public Charter High School (Mass Media)
  • William Wills, Jackson-Reed High School (Mass Media)
  • ZyKayla Nicholson, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

CRIs in front of The Point

2024 Career Ready Interns

  • Asly Argueta Benitez, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Christian Osbourne, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kyla "Mista" Barnes, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Nealia Williams, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Valerie Benitez, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

The 2024 CRI cohort stands in front of a screen with the the Texas A&M Bush School logo

2023 Career Ready Interns

  • Damari Smith, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Destiny King, Roosevelt High School (Culinary)

  • Dyamond Timmons, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Elsy Salvador-Jimenez, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Jazmyne Pring, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kaden Johnson, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Keiree James, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Mattison McDonald, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Milan Beverly, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Nakyia Wimbish, Roosevelt High School (Culinary)

  • Thailan Robinson, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

The 2023 CRI cohort stand with DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto

2022 Career Ready Interns

  • Camiyah Price, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Charity Jones, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Destanie Coleman, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Dominga Trice, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Erick Torres Flores, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Heaven Taylor, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Jahmiaya Mosley, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kori Johnson, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Marcella Carroll, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Nia Diggs, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Samuel Grand, Jackson-Reed High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

The 2022 CRI cohort stands in the Destination DC offices

2021 Career Ready Interns

  • Alana Ransome, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Alyssia Smith, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Amanda Glover, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Amber Carter, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Amyah Smith, Cardozo Educational Campus (Engineering)

  • Antonio Newton, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Azariah Riley, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Brianna Okoro, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Deshaun Wooten, Woodson High School

  • Eryka Kornegay, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Giana Curry, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Herbert Banks, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Janera White, Woodson High School

  • Jermaine Johnson, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Jermanie Coleman, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Jordan Hopper, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Computer Science)

  • Jose Mendoza, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kahlil Slater, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Karen Escalera-Chavez, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kelly Cantarero-Flores, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Larie Francois, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Macie Ellis, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Malaya Herrion, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Maria Tapia-Casarrubias, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Marie May, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Mattison McDonald, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Michael Godavitarne, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Paris Allen, Maya Angelou PCS (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Rahel Tewodros, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Shaniyah Robinson, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Tayvani Chambliss, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Tenielle Parker, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Yeshetuwef Mulugeta, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Zarihya Brown, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

a yellow pattern of stars

2020 Career Ready Interns

  • Alaya Tyndle, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Alexander Strauss, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Amir Perkins, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Andrew Irwin-Leventhal, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Angelique Barnhardt, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Anura Sharma, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Arjanae Mitchell, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Benjamin Wander, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Brianna Moody, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Cenaria Fells-Watson, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Dakota Joi Inniss, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Darren Buchanan, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • De'Anna Williams, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Durell Ford, Ballou High School (Mass Media)

  • Eryka Kornegay, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Herbert Banks, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • I'shawnna White, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Jaden Randolph-Schoneck, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Janae Lewis-Price, Roosevelt High School (Culinary)

  • Jasmine Taylor, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Jaye'quan Seegers, Cardozo Educational Campus

  • Jazzmen Morant, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Jermanie Coleman, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Johnathan Jennings, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kahlil Slater, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kashmere Lewis, Anacostia High School

  • Kayla Watson, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kelly Cantarero-Flores, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Khalelah McCollum, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Kyndal Barber, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Layla Green, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Le'Asyah Mays, Cardozo Educational Campus

  • Leena Rahman, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Lesly Reyes, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Luke Forcier, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Macie Ellis, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Makayla Wright, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Marie May, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Matthew Weissman, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Mia Heyward, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Monaia Swinson, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Mya Kelly, Dunbar High School

  • Nakia Thomas, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Nar'dya Sloan, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Racquel Jones, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Ryan Howard, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Sabrina Bouaichi, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Sapriyah Hancock, Coolidge High School (Mass Media)

  • Sarah Etinoff, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Sascha Cannon, Dunbar High School

  • Stephen James, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Sydni Lewis, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Taiyler Henderson-Thorpe, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Taria Short, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Tori Barnett, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Vanessa Romero-Gutierrez, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Yazmyne Dixon, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Yeshetuwef Mulugeta, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

Alexander Strauss speaks to the media about having an internship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 Career Ready Interns

  • Jashawn Evans, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Makalya Cruz, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Nizar Ghoumari, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

The 2019 CRIs take a bike tour with NEXTDC Executive Director Claire Carlin

2018 Career Ready Intern

  • Dijon Kerns, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

2018 CRI Dijon Kerns speaks at the July 4th VIP Celebration

2017 Career Ready Interns

  • Deranique Graydon, Ballou High School (Hospitality & Tourism)

  • Nathan Green, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Hospitality & Tourism)

2017 CRI intern Deranique Graydon stands with the AEF team at the annual Holiday Celebration

2016 Career Ready Intern

  • Lauren Brown, Wilson High School (Hospitality & Tourism)