Madison Kennedy '16 is inspiring youth through Alaska Fellows Program
Madison Kennedy '16 started a new venture in the middle of a pandemic—in Sitka, AK.
Starting a new venture in the middle of a pandemic is not an easy task, but Madison Kennedy ‘16 was up for the challenge. She applied for and was accepted into the Alaska Fellows Program, where young professionals work with nonprofit and public sector organizations throughout Alaska. It offers recent graduates a unique opportunity for professional development in Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka. Madison is currently living in the small town of Sitka, AK, working as the Internship and Work Experience guide at Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
“I applied for this position because I was interested in working in education in some way in the future, and I hope that this year would confirm whether or not that was the right path for me. Even though I have only been here for a few weeks, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else or in any other career,” says Madison. In the future, she hopes she can combine her psychology degree with her passion for education.
One of the biggest challenges she’s needed to overcome so far is navigating COVID-19 while getting to know a new town in a state she’s never visited before. She says, “The Alaska Fellows Program attracts a lot of very kind, responsible fellows, so I feel fortunate to have housemates who care about each other and want to see everyone thrived as much as possible during this year.”
Madison spends her days in Sitka making connections with organizations in town who are looking for a student intern. She also teaches Senior Futures and Junior Advisory classes, where they discuss college and career plans, financial aid, applications, and more. The leadership she learned from Ms. Souza and Mr. Boehm about the college application process is something she is sharing with her current students. “I feel so lucky to have had teachers and counselors who care so much about us as students and as human beings in high school,” says Madison. “I feel even luckier to be able to impart their wisdom on my own students now.”
Sitka isn’t all work and no play for Madison, though. She’s taking in all of the beautiful scenery in Alaska, hiking the mountains on the weekends with her new housemates, and watching the salmon swim upstream. “The best part about AFP is that you don’t have to compromise on the desire to have an adventure and live your life to the fullest in order to gain valuable experience.”
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
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