Bank of America today announced two Augusta high school seniors were selected as Student Leaders®(#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week paid summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities. As part of the program, the students will develop leadership and practical workforce skills while working with local nonprofits, including Golden Harvest Food Bank, all while earning $17 per hour.

With changing economic environments and a shifting job market, young people need access to workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities. The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults be successful in today’s workforce. Along with the Student Leaders program, Bank of America is connecting twelve more teens and young adults to paid jobs and internships across Greater Augusta/Aiken with Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Students2Work program.

“By providing the pathways and resources for young adults to gain the foundational work skills and leadership experience they need to succeed, we are investing in our community’s long-term economic growth.” said Ora Parish, president, Bank of America Greater Augusta/Aiken. “The teens selected for this paid summer intern program are truly extraordinary, but may not have had access to opportunities like this until now. The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we connect people to meaningful employment resources that also builds a stronger pipeline of diverse talent for our local workforce.”

The class of 2023 Augusta Bank of America Student Leaders are:

Elleana Garcia is a senior at Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School who is graduating with honors as an audio visual student. She will be attending the honors college at Georgia State University in the fall, majoring in Journalism with a minor Political Science. Elleana has a love for Augusta and a passion for community involvement and activism. She enjoys participating in her chapter of SkillsUSA and will compete in SkillsUSA Nationals this summer in extemporaneous speaking. In her free time, she works as a freelance photographer and model.
Makari Stokes is a senior at Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School graduating as Salutatorian of her class with honors as a culinary student. In the fall of 2023, she will be attending Spelman College, majoring in Biology/Pre-med with a minor in business marketing. Makari has a love for volunteerism and new opportunities. She enjoys volunteering at Golden Harvest Master’s Table Soup Kitchen and trying new food in her free time.

Later this summer, Student Leaders will travel to Washington D.C. for a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy. At the first in-person Summit since 2019, Student Leaders from across the nation will discuss the importance of civic engagement and meet with members of Congress.

Started in 2004, the Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually. The Augusta-based Student Leaders are participating in programming that includes a collaborative, mentor-focused project with Golden Harvest while also learning about how a food bank operates. Over the course of the summer, they will rotate between departments at the food bank, learning about community impact, marketing, human resources, fundraising, packing and sorting food, agency partnerships, Urban Farm and Master’s Table Soup Kitchen.