Bank of America Announces 2024 Savannah Student Leaders
Bank of America recently announced two Savannah high-school students, Faith Agbehonou and Keylan Collins, as their Student Leaders for 2024. The youth were recipients of an eight-week paid summer internship at the bank, an initiative that seeks to link students with employment, skills development, and service.
About the Award Winners
Faith Agbehonou, a rising senior at Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School, is a motivated student with a strong commitment to community service. Her parents hail from Togo, West Africa, and she has been actively involved in extracurricular activities at school. Being the founder and president of her school’s drama club, treasurer of the Beta Club, and an event coordinator for HOSA – Future Health Professionals chapter, her leadership skills are well-honed. As a student senate member, she serves as a liaison between students and administrators.
Keylan Collins, a rising senior at Savannah Early College High School, has shown a keen interest in networking and understanding nonprofit operations. With the school council, he helps plan and coordinate events, fundraisers, and activities designed to create a harmonious school community. His active participation in leadership projects and his role as president of the National Beta Club clearly demonstrate his leadership abilities.
The Internship
During their summer internship, these students will gain practical work and leadership experience, financial education coaching from Bank of America’s Better Money Habits curriculum, and have the opportunity to work with local nonprofits. These community-minded students are expected to make significant contributions while gaining valuable knowledge and connections within Savannah and with other student leaders.
Part of the program includes a project with Goodwill Southeast Georgia. The student leaders will collaborate with Goodwill leaders and participate in marketing, mission services activities, and a concerted effort to engage the community.
Praise for the Program
The Student Leaders program, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, annually recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors across the U.S. Patrick O’Neil, the president of Bank of America Savannah, was enthusiastic about the initiative. “Preparing a diverse pipeline of community-minded young students to be successful in the workforce is critical to our market’s long-term economic growth”, he said. “This program will gain from the practical life experiences of our young people, and the community in return gains help from local nonprofits and a diverse pipeline of talent as these young adults enter the local workforce.”
Later this summer, the Student Leaders will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit to learn how nonprofits, governments and businesses can work together to benefit local communities.
Continuing Efforts
As part of its efforts to foster the development of young people, Bank of America is also connecting over a hundred teens and young adults to paid jobs and internships with YMCA of Coastal Georgia through its Summer Youth Employment Program.
Their commitment to igniting the potential of young people is part of a continuing endeavor to build pathways to economic mobility across nearly 100 markets.
