Speakers discuss careers with students at academically struggling school

On a recent Monday morning at Chaparral High School, 3850 Annie Oakley Drive, a packed classroom sat listening to John Abulencia discuss finances, life goals and fulfillment. Abulencia is the assistant casino manager at the Cromwell, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. South. He also is a volunteer speaker and part of a partnership between the high school and the Caesars Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Caesars Entertainment. The Career Exploration course offers a specialty curriculum designed by Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada, Vegas PBS and Caesars Entertainment.

“We began working with the students in the area four years ago, starting at the Walter V. Long Elementary School,” said Thom Reilly, executive director of the Caesars Foundation. “It’s proved so successful that each year, we’ve evolved and expanded it.”

The course brings in a different Caesars Entertainment employee to volunteer each Monday to educate high school seniors about career opportunities in Las Vegas, including hotel operations, catering and valet.

“The administration was re-evaluating the school, and one area they needed to look at was kids who didn’t plan to go to college but needed to be integrated into the workforce,” Reilly said. “This program not only brings in speakers, it takes the student to the back of the house of properties and gives them hands-on experience.”

Chaparral had the lowest graduation rate in the Clark County School District in 2010, with 48 percent of the seniors graduating. It was one of the valley’s five turnaround schools, a designation from the U.S. Department of Education that helps initiate federal assistance. The school replaced much of its support staff and administration. It was up to the new administration, including vice principal Russ Leet, to bring the school back to standards.

“We’ve been making great progress,” Leet said. “There are challenges. We’re a Title I school, and a significant proportion of our population qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Programs like this one really help out and help us keep the kids from falling through the cracks.”

Communities In Schools came to Chaparral three years ago and has helped implement new programs and identify students who need assistance. The organization has also helped to bring in corporate partners and programs, such as the partnership with the Caesars Foundation and Vegas PBS.

In the case of the students chosen for the Career Exploration course, Communities In Schools helped identify students who were short a few credits for graduation.

“They’re just a hair away from graduation,” Leet said. “They just need that little extra support.”

Abulencia said he found the experience fun and enlightening and considered it an honor to be able to speak with the students.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to give back to the community,” Abulencia said. “It was very humbling for me. I wanted to make sure I was entertaining the students and giving them a little advice on what to look for in life down the road.”

The staff of the Caesars Foundation plans to have volunteer speakers throughout the school year, culminating with a job fair in the spring.

Reilly said there has been no problem getting volunteers, and the feedback he has received has been overwhelmingly positive. Abulencia plans to volunteer again in January.

“We have 2,300-plus students, and it’s impossible for me to mentor all of them,” Leet said. “We’re very grateful for programs like CIS that come in and provide that extra support for our students. It’s a real benefit for us.”

Contact East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 702-380-4532.