Avondale welcomed local business and industry leaders to Business Meets Avondale on April 23 at Avondale High School for a morning focused on connection, innovation, and workforce development.
Serving as a culminating, year-end showcase for Avondale’s student internship program, the event celebrated students who have spent the school year participating in real-world industry internships—an opportunity offered to only a small cohort of students each year through the district’s nationally recognized Career Technical Education (CTE) program.
With more than ten professionals representing a variety of industries in attendance, the event also served as an opportunity to strengthen and expand partnerships with businesses interested in mentoring and hosting future Avondale interns.
Guests began the morning with breakfast and networking, followed by an introduction and overview of Avondale’s CTE programming and five career pathways by CTE Director Martin Ballard. Student interns then took center stage, sharing presentations about their internship experiences, professional portfolios, and the employability skills they have developed through this immersive, year-long experience. Attendees also toured the high school and CTE facilities, gaining a firsthand look at the innovative spaces where students are preparing for college, careers, and beyond.
The event highlighted not only Avondale’s 30+ career-focused courses in areas such as Business, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, IT & Cybersecurity, and Broadcasting, but also the powerful role business partnerships play in creating authentic learning experiences for students. By showcasing current internship successes while inviting new industry partners into the program, Business Meets Avondale continues to help grow opportunities for future student interns.
Thank you to the professionals and partners who joined us to celebrate our students and invest in the future of workforce learning at Avondale!
