Rahway Students Take Leadership Beyond the Classroom Through S.O.A.R. International Internship

Two Rahway High School students participated in the S.O.A.R. International Internship from July 21 through August 4 in the Dominican Republic. Summer Humphreys, a Class of 2026 graduate and Rahway JAG alumna, and rising junior Ivy Pena Zapata took part in the immersive experience focused on business, hospitality, entrepreneurship, leadership and service.

The opportunity originated from Rahway High School's Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Career Information Series, which brings professionals and organizations into the school. S.O.A.R. Hospitality & Travel YLC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing underserved and underrepresented high school students to career development opportunities, participated in the series. Both students previously completed S.O.A.R.'s 12-week Business & Hospitality Youth Bootcamp before earning the internship opportunity.

During the internship, Humphreys and Pena Zapata volunteered at the Building Young Leaders Summer Camp, where they taught and mentored younger students. Pena Zapata co-led a hip-hop class, teaching choreography to children ages 6–13 who later performed at a summer camp basketball game. Humphreys helped campers develop culinary skills and learn business concepts including how to create and present a successful pitch.

The students also led S.O.A.R.'s Peer-to-Peer Business & Entrepreneurship Workshop, teaching younger students lessons in entrepreneurship, budgeting, pitching and public speaking. For two weeks, they trained and worked at Ristorante Passatore, an upscale restaurant in Puerto Plata, with responsibilities including preparing the restaurant for service, greeting guests, bussing tables, assisting in the kitchen and supporting beverage service.

Humphreys will attend Rider University to study biology. Pena Zapata plans to enter Rahway JAG this school year. According to Rosie Mendoza McCamery, Founder and CEO of S.O.A.R. Hospitality & Travel YLC, the restaurant's leadership was pleased enough with the students' performance to invite S.O.A.R. to return.

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.