For the next several weeks, 24 high school students from across central Pennsylvania will be stepping into new experiences that help them imagine what comes next.
The Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program officially kicked off this week, bringing together rising high school seniors from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties for a summer of hands-on experiences, career exploration, community connections, and personal growth.
Throughout the program, students will visit businesses and organizations across the region, meet professionals from a variety of industries, build career readiness and professional skills, and learn a bit about themselves along the way. Every experience is designed to help students discover new opportunities and perspectives and better understand the many pathways available after high school.
The week began with all students coming together for a day at Lakemont Park and the Altoona Curve, where students toured facilities, played some games, and got an inside look at careers in recreation, tourism, and professional sports.
As the week continued, students separated into two cohorts—one in Altoona and one in Johnstown—to explore businesses and organizations throughout their communities. Site visits, guest speakers, and workshops focused on topics like financial literacy, entrepreneurship, environmental restoration, community development, and the many ways organizations across the region work together to create thriving communities.
Altoona cohort site visits and guest speakers:
- Stuckey Auto (Matt Stuckey)
- Kish Bank (Shayna Golembeski, Hannah Brewster)
- Grand Palazzo (Jeff Long)
- Mountain Research, LLC (Mandy Michelone)
- Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurship (Dr. Donna Bonn, Jessica Lattanza)
- The Clay Cup (Sarah Vogel)
Johnstown cohort site visits and guest speakers:
- Somerset Trust
- Zero Waste Store
- Morgainz (Kelly Morgan)
- Boyer Financial Planning (Mike Boyer)
- 814 Lanes and Games
- Bottleworks
More importantly, students met the people behind the work.
Every conversation offered a different perspective: from entrepreneurs who turned ideas into businesses to financial professionals helping families plan for the future, to community leaders working to revitalize neighborhoods and create opportunities for others. Students heard firsthand about career journeys, lessons learned, and the value of building relationships and staying curious.
While students explored careers and communities, week 1 was also about building connections with one another, their instructors, and community members. Those relationships will continue to grow throughout the summer and long after the program ends.
This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to share their journey throughout the summer.
Week One Photo Gallery
