MOUNT VERNON – Two Kenyon College seniors have been selected to serve as interns with the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC).
Aidan Constant and Sydney Landstrom will conduct in-depth research for grant funds to enhance the ESC’s support of students in preschool through high school.
“I had known of other agencies and organizations that utilized Kenyon student interns and I was impressed by the results,” ESC Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley said. “I have asked Sydney and Aiden to look into what grant money might be out there in any form, whether public or private sources, whether local, regional or global. The sky’s the limit.”
The ESC, located at 380 Martinsburg Road, operates two programs.
The Knox Learning Center, located in Mount Vernon’s former West Elementary, serves as an alternative educational setting for children in kindergarten through high school. The Knox ESC Preschool serves 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds at locations in Centerburg, East Knox, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon.
“There may be grant funds available that could help us in many areas, including technology, safety and security, and therapy equipment to benefit students with special needs,” Mackley said.
Hired as independent contractors at $13 an hour, Constant and Landstrom will work on their own schedules in conjunction with their academic requirements. Both are scheduled to graduate in May.
Landstrom, a native of Iowa, described herself as “passionate about public service, community health and social justice.” She plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work.
“I applied for the internship as an opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills to help others,” she said.
Constant, of New York City, will leave Kenyon with a degree in psychology, pre-medical track.
“I grew up in a family where education was important, but I know others did not have the resources I had,” he said. “I want to make a difference. I believe this internship gives me the opportunity to help kids.”
Twenty-five Kenyon students applied to the ESC’s call for interns. That number was reduced to five in the second round before Landstrom and Constant emerged as the final choices.
“I want to emphasize that we were impressed by all of the applicants,” Mackley said. “Each offered a record of achievements and a strong indication of future success. In the end, Sydney and Aidan most closely fit the work we are assigning to them.”
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