Three Monroe High School students who have been active in the school’s successful co-op program were honored Wednesday (May 18) as Co-Ops of the Year in their respective areas of work and study, and one received a scholarship as the top co-op student.

     Recognized Wednesday were Erin Nichols, Health Co-Op Student of the Year, who works at Yinger Pharmacy; Jordan Wolfenbarger, Office Co-Op of the Year, who works at Baker’s Ace Hardware; and Kylee Heringhausen, Marketing Co-Op Student of the Year, who works at America Eagle.  In addition, Jordan Wolfenbarger was awarded the Irene Betz $500 Co-Op Scholarship, as the most outstanding co-op student this school year.

     “We have 26 students in our program and we are very thankful for the support of a number of fine businesses in Monroe.  Some of these businesses have been with us for many years,” said Jeff Brown, MHS marketing teacher and the school’s co-op coordinator.

     Businesses recognized for their strong support of the Monroe High Co-Op Program were:  Amaya’s Fresh Mex Grill, American Eagle, Applebee’s, Baker’s Ace Hardware, Cakes by Stephanie, Carrington Golf Club, Creative Counseling Choices, Dunham’s Sports, Electrik Images, Gerdau Steel, Ida Tavern, IHOP, Little House of Hugs, McDonald’s, Michigan College of Beauty, Monroe County Prosecutor’s office, Pet Supplies Plus, Pete’s Garage, St. Pierre Ace Hardware, TJ Maxx,  Wendy’s, Yinger Pharmacy, and YMCA of Monroe. 

     Co-op is a learning approach used at Monroe High School in its educational programs.  When used in occupational programs, co-op has as its central purpose the development of occupational competence, using employment in real jobs as a source of learning.  The MHS mission for co-op is to help students gain competitive occupational skills at business and industry standards by tightly linking program/classroom basic and skill training with carefully supervised on-the-job training and performance.

Written by Bobb Vergiels