RAHWAY, NJ — What began as a connection made through the Rahway High School Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Career Information Series ultimately took two Rahway students beyond the classroom—and beyond the country—to learn, work, serve and lead in the Dominican Republic.
Rahway High School Class of 2026 graduate and Rahway JAG alumna Summer Humphreys and rising Rahway High School junior Ivy Pena Zapata participated in the S.O.A.R. International Internship from July 21 through August 4, an immersive experience that provided students with hands-on opportunities in business, hospitality, entrepreneurship, leadership and service while abroad.
The opportunity grew out of Rahway JAG’s Career Information Series, which brings professionals and organizations into Rahway High School to expose students to careers, resources and opportunities beyond the classroom. S.O.A.R. was invited to participate in the series, and the opportunity was opened to interested students throughout the school. It was through that experience that Pena Zapata was first introduced to S.O.A.R.
Humphreys and Pena Zapata went on to participate in S.O.A.R.’s 12-week Business & Hospitality Youth Bootcamp, where they developed skills in business, hospitality, entrepreneurship and leadership before ultimately earning the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic for the S.O.A.R. International Internship.