IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five held its third annual First Jobs Signing Day Thursday, February 27, 2025. The First Jobs Initiative is a unique way to help the district with the nationwide labor shortage, as well as help students.
The district hired 18 students to work in jobs in the student nutrition department, clerical positions, as well jobs in the custodial department. Among the participants, 12 are seniors who will be receiving their First Jobs graduation cords, signifying their achievement and readiness for the workforce. The student participants come from all four district high schools, showcasing the collaborative effort across our district.
School District Five students participating include: Piper Adcock (Clerical), Jakai Buckhanon (Clerical), Keyla DeJesus Diaz (Clerical), Audrey Duplan (Clerical), Mary Catherine Falcone (Clerical), Trinidy Fields (Clerical), Olivia Meihofer (Clerical), Preston McElwain (Clerical), Connor McWaters (Custodial), Aryana Murphy (Clerical), Reyna Pham (Clerical), Mya Schley (Clerical), Jayla Strouble (Clerical), Jacob Thrun (Clerical), Vivian Ullrich (Clerical), Nick Varetonni (Custodial), Deanna White (Student Nutrition), and Joseph Whiteside (Custodial).
“To have a special signing day dedicated to our students that are working as district employees is very special because we get to acknowledge the students for their hard work,” Coordinator of Career and Technical Education Dr. Charity Simmons said. “We also celebrated our Human Resources department during this event because they embraced the vision of the First Jobs program and helped to bring it to life paving the way for our students to have this incredible opportunity to become district employees.”
Deanna White participated in her second First Jobs Signing Day because she loves working for the district and the flexibility it gives her to be able to work during the school day.
“It is great to have this opportunity because I can’t get a job after school because I have musical rehearsals and I don’t have the flexibility to work after school,” White said. “I have enjoyed working in Student Nutrition because they really need the extra help and I can also help feed my classmates at the same time.”
“This is very special to see the growth in this program from the first year to now,” Chief of Academics Tina McCaskill said. “Growing students is something that our district does well and are passionate about. To see these students’ passion grow through this program can only make the future brighter for all of us.”
