Red Oak FORGE Work-Based Learning

FORGE Interns Are Building Future-Ready Skills 💪🎓

This year, FORGE interns are growing in powerful ways — not just learning about careers, but developing the skills they’ll carry into college, the workforce, and beyond.

Through internships in healthcare, education, nonprofit organizations, marketing, and more, students are gaining:
✔️ Professional confidence
✔️ Strong communication and teamwork skills
✔️ Real problem-solving experience
✔️ Career clarity and goal setting

These experiences are shaping who our students are becoming — responsible, capable, and ready for what’s next.

We’re proud of our interns and grateful for the community partners who make this growth possible!

Another student highlight that I am incredibly proud to share.

Mariel Ramirez has been a key part of her FORGE PBL media and partnership teams this year. She has spent a significant amount of time designing content for a variety of projects. Similar to others on the team, she has taken the initiative to learn and grow various skills and abilities, and her progress throughout the year has been impressive.

Mariel has worked with multiple design tools and software programs and has become comfortable and capable using all of them. Lately, she has been digging deep into Adobe Photoshop, learning the ins and outs of the platform and pushing herself to improve her work even more. Her designs reflect that growth and attention to detail.

In addition to design, she has shown strong marketing skills. She has been actively involved with the Red Oak social media team, helping plan and schedule posts, create campaign calendars, design templates, take photos, and develop content that highlights our school, classrooms, and learning experiences. She understands how visuals, messaging, and timing all work together, and she applies that knowledge thoughtfully.

One of the most meaningful parts of her experience this year has been her exposure to real-world professional situations. She has participated in meetings and presentations with administrators and has presented to an entire staff of teachers. Those are big moments, and she has stepped into them with confidence and professionalism. Her growth in communication and public speaking has been so much fun to watch.

She is a hard worker, highly productive, focused, and committed to doing things well. Watching her confidence grow alongside her skills has been such a joy this year, and she has a very bright future ahead of her.

Watching this kind of growth is a powerful reminder of what students are capable of when they are given the space to stretch themselves, take risks, and pursue skills that truly matter to them. Growth does not come from playing it safe. It comes from being challenged, trying new things, and not being afraid to fail. When students are trusted with meaningful goals and real opportunities, they rise to the occasion and often exceed expectations.

Keep up the great work Mariel!

One of the best parts of this year has been watching students truly take ownership of their learning and run with it.

Emmanuel Grass is a member of one of the media teams in FORGE PBL and has spent some of his time in class creating graphics to highlight our athletic teams. After trying out a few different design software, Emmanuel set a personal goal to learn something completely new: Adobe Photoshop, a software he had never used before.

What happened next has been incredible to watch.

He took the initiative to research on his own, watch tutorials, experiment, and push himself to see just how good he could get. Over the last two months in particular, his growth has been huge. Each graphic has improved, his confidence has grown, and his work now showcases our athletes in a creative, professional, and unique way.

Beyond graphics, Emmanuel has tried photography, video work, and live productions. He is the kind of learner who observes first, studies his surroundings, and then jumps in once he understands what he wants to try. He thinks critically, is not afraid to experiment, and embraces new challenges head-on.

One of my favorite parts of his journey is that he created his own Instagram page to showcase the graphics he has produced using this Adobe Photoshop. He now has a real audience, a real purpose, and work he is genuinely proud of.

This experience is a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given:
• Choice in what they want to improve
• Time to dig deep and practice
• An authentic goal
• A real audience to share their work

When learning is meaningful and connected to something students care about, growth happens naturally. Students become proud of what they create, and teachers get to enjoy every step of the process alongside them.

I am so proud of how far he has come and excited to see where this path takes him next.

Check out his instagram here: .graphics8

-Janelle Erickson
FORGE WBL Coordinator & Instructor

A lot of internships average 6–8 weeks in the summer.

At the Red Oak FORGE program, our interns are gaining:
➡️ 150+ hours on the low end
➡️ An average of 250 hours during the school year
➡️ Some students reaching 350–400 hours by graduation

That means our students are leaving their senior year with a level of experience many young adults don’t reach until after their first year of college or entry-level work.

These aren’t job shadows.
These are real responsibilities, real expectations, and real impact—across healthcare, education, nonprofit, marketing, IT, finance, and more.

FORGE interns graduate workforce-ready, confident, and already contributing members of their professional communities.

That’s the power of meaningful work-based learning.

Message from Janelle Erickson ~ FORGE WBL Coordinator in Red Oak.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing what happens when a student reaches the empowerment level—that moment when learning is no longer something being delivered to them, but something they fully own.

Owen is a powerful example of what high-level student agency looks like in action.

This year, he started with very little experience in photography. Since then, he has:

Grown to speak and think like a professional photographer

Learned the ins and outs of multiple camera systems

Taken thousands of photos documenting athletic events—home and away

Taken it upon himself to travel independently to events to capture student-athletes in action

What makes this even more impactful is why he’s doing it. Owen isn’t just taking photos—he’s telling stories. He’s highlighting the hard work of our athletes and then sharing those images with our FORGE media team so others can build designs using tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva. His work elevates everyone around him.

And that’s just one piece.

Beyond photography, Owen is:

➡️Doing videography for projects and supporting district social media campaigns

➡️Serving as part of the Red Oak Community School District social media team

➡️Learning assistant athletic director responsibilities and supporting activities operations

➡️Helping run and innovate concession stands, introducing product ideas that fans and athletes love

➡️Experimenting with systems to support our activities department

➡️Building apps and websites

➡️Exploring AI tools as thinking partners and efficiency tools

➡️Using those tools to support nonprofit and business ideas he’s actively developing

➡️Participating in job shadows—and planning more

➡️Helping peers learn technology tools and offering feedback anytime it’s needed

What stands out most isn’t the volume of work (though it’s VERY impressive). It’s how intentionally he uses his time, how eager he is to learn, and how willing he is to help others succeed. He’s constantly bringing forward new project ideas, seeking partnerships, and pushing himself toward experiences that will prepare him for life beyond high school.

This is what happens when students are trusted, supported, and given real responsibility:
They don’t do the minimum.
They expand the ceiling of what’s possible.

I’m incredibly thankful to have Owen in the FORGE program, and I can’t wait to see where his internship path leads him as a senior next year. He’s a mover, a shaker, and a reminder of why student-centered, real-world learning matters.

For anyone designing learning environments:
👉 Build for agency.
👉 Create space for ownership.
👉 Then get out of the way and watch what students can do.

This week, our FORGE Work-Based Learning students had the opportunity to learn from representatives of Flux Core Data Systems, and the impact was powerful.

The timing of this visit couldn’t have been better. Our FORGE PBL students are currently walking through an entrepreneurial and innovation pathway—identifying real-world problems, narrowing in on a niche, and developing a product or business idea that will be fully fleshed out and ready to pitch. Hearing directly from entrepreneurs who have lived this process made the learning feel real, relevant, and attainable.

Students shared how meaningful it was to hear authentic career journeys, personal stories, and honest conversations about paths that don’t always follow a straight line. Many appreciated how approachable and welcoming the conversation felt—questions were encouraged, ideas were explored deeply, and complex technology was explained in ways that truly made sense.

What stood out most to students:
🔹 How identifying a specific niche problem can lead to meaningful innovation
🔹 The growing demand for data, energy, and resilient infrastructure
🔹 How one company requires many different roles and skill sets to succeed
🔹 The role of micro-edge data centers in sustainability, speed, and disaster response
🔹 The potential economic and workforce impact for Red Oak and Southwest Iowa

Students walked away with a broader view of careers, a deeper understanding of emerging technology, and reassurance that it’s okay not to have everything figured out yet. They also identified key skills needed for success—adaptability, teamwork, accountability, problem-solving, and a willingness to learn.

We are grateful for industry partners who invest in students, share openly, and connect learning directly to the work students are doing right now.

Thank you, Flux Core, for an engaging and inspiring visit. This is what authentic, future-ready learning looks like.

🤝 Community Connection Tuesday | Nishna Productions

We are proud to partner with Nishna Productions through our FORGE Project-Based Learning (PBL) program, where students collaborate with community organizations to solve real-world challenges and make a meaningful impact.

As part of this partnership, a team of FORGE students—Marlee, Keely, Natalie, Sophie, and Audri—has been working closely with Nishna Productions to support their social media presence and event promotion. Their work includes creating content for upcoming events, Birthday Club celebrations, and organization-wide campaigns to help expand community awareness and engagement.

The team is currently assisting with preparation for the Tim Tebow Night to Shine Dance taking place in February. This special event celebrates individuals with disabilities and relies on volunteers to make the evening truly unforgettable. Volunteer information will be shared soon through school announcements, including a Google Form and an upcoming interest meeting.

Later this year, the FORGE team will continue their collaboration by helping plan and promote Nishna Productions’ golf tournament fundraiser, supporting the organization’s ongoing programs and services.

📸 Nishna Productions Team (left to right): Emily Martin (Nishna Productions, Development Specialist), Audri, Sophie, Natalie and Keely. Not Pictured: Marlee

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16rNnPwtbR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🤝 Community Connection Tuesday | Southwest Iowa Innovation Center

This week, we’re excited to highlight a meaningful partnership between our FORGE Program students and community leader Larry Brandstetter.

FORGE team members Dillan Rydberg, Emmanuel Grass, Jackson Perdue, Reese Montgomery, and Pace Chaillie have been working closely with Larry to transform an initial brainstorming idea into a fully developed concept for a Southwest Iowa Innovation Center. With Larry’s feedback and real-world insight, the team elevated their thinking into a professional proposal and stakeholder-ready presentation, preparing them for upcoming meetings where they will pitch their vision.

This collaboration gave students an authentic experience in innovation, strategic planning, and professional communication—while demonstrating how strong community partnerships help turn ideas into impactful opportunities for our region.

Thank you to Larry Brandstetter for investing in our students and supporting the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Read More Here: https://www.redoakschooldistrict.com/content/cac4e619-10e4-4b77-8645-e45bb50f6517/3209896707?type=news

Jayda’s Story – Compassion and Strength in Oncology

📍 Montgomery County Memorial Hospital
👩‍⚕️ Mentor: MCMH Oncology Department Staff
🎓 FORGE Internship Program – Red Oak Jr.–Sr. High School

“In oncology, every act of care matters — because every patient’s story matters.”

Meet Jayda Biggerstaff, a FORGE intern who has been learning alongside the compassionate and dedicated team in the Oncology Department at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Over the past month, Jayda has gained a deeper understanding of the commitment, teamwork, and heart it takes to support patients facing cancer.

Working alongside nurses and lab staff, Jayda has seen how closely each role must collaborate to support individualized treatment plans. She has learned how essential attention to detail, patience, and empathy are in this field, and how impactful healthcare professionals can be during some of the most difficult moments in a patient’s life.

Throughout her internship, Jayda has strengthened her communication, time management, and professionalism. Tasks such as organizing patient charts, shadowing treatments, and observing procedures have taught her how to stay calm, focused, and adaptable throughout each day.

Reflecting on her experience, Jayda shared:

“I’ve become much more confident communicating with patients and staff. A moment that really boosted my confidence was when a nurse trusted me to organize patient information on my own — it showed me that I had earned their trust.”

What once felt unfamiliar and intimidating has now become a place where Jayda feels comfortable, appreciated, and proud of the work she contributes.

The FORGE Internship Program connects education with opportunity—helping students like Jayda gain real-world experience, develop professional confidence, and discover their passion for serving others in meaningful ways.

FORGE Team Spotlight: Meet Our Social Media Marketing Team

For the past month and a half, this team has been working incredibly hard to learn what it truly takes to build and manage a full social media system for a school district. They have explored branding, content planning, photography, writing, design, and the behind-the-scenes workflow required to keep multiple district pages running smoothly.

Along the way, they have also been juggling additional PBL projects, practicing real-world communication skills, problem-solving through new challenges, and learning how to think like digital storytellers.

We are getting close to a point where this team will begin running and operating our district’s social media pages (a huge responsibility that requires consistency, creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork.), this group is learning how to manage content that comes not only from their own creations but also from the designs, videos, and photography produced by the entire FORGE PBL class. This collaborative system is part of what makes our program so innovative.

While we know the learning never stops, we have full confidence in this group and their ability to tackle anything that comes their way.

Here are the talented leaders behind the work:

📸 Owen

A skilled videographer, photographer, drone operator, researcher and tech problem-solver who has captured thousands of moments this year. Owen leads by example, brings relentless curiosity to every project, and is always ready to jump in and help. His interests in law, political science, and technology influence his thoughtful approach to storytelling and innovation.

🎨 Mariel

A talented designer with a sharp eye for visual content. Mariel has taken on a leadership role within the teams she is a part of, bringing fresh ideas and strong creative direction, consistency, and organization. Her ability to manage multiple projects and explore social media marketing through PBL has made her a key contributor to our digital presence. Outside the classroom, Mariel stays active and involved as a volleyball and basketball player, bringing the same level of commitment, teamwork, and focus to her athletics that she brings to her work in FORGE

📷 Madison

A highly organized leader who has supported media days, photography, planning, and project coordination. Madison brings new ideas, incredible work ethic, and strong organization and communication skills. Whether she is wrestling, helping with her family business, or working on PBL projects, she stays active and committed in everything she does.

💡 Jackson

A deep thinker with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Jackson engages fully in every project and has shown significant growth in communication, critical thinking and leadership. His problem-solving mindset and involvement in athletics, including a standout football season and upcoming wrestling season, reflects his dedication and drive.

👏 A Team to Watch

This group represents leadership, creativity, and innovation in action. As they prepare to take on the responsibility of running district social media, we couldn’t be more proud of their progress or more confident in their potential.

Exciting things are ahead for this team and for the stories they will help us tell.

FORGE PBL Highlight: Innovation Experience at ISU

Our FORGE students had an incredible and inspiring visit to Iowa State University this month where they explored innovation, engineering, entrepreneurship, and the future of work.

We toured the Innovation Center, the Aerospace Engineering facility, and met with entrepreneurs at the Pappajohn Center, who shared how new ideas move from early concepts to prototypes to full startups. Students learned how important it is to think creatively, ask good questions, test ideas, and use feedback to improve their work.

A major takeaway for our team was the message that AI is becoming a critical tool for innovators. Our students heard how AI supports rapid prototyping, research, design, and communication, and they left with an even clearer understanding of how to use AI responsibly and creatively in their own projects.

This visit directly supports the work our students have been engaged in this semester and what they will be doing next semester as they take on new PBL challenges, explore entrepreneurial thinking, and design real solutions for our community.

A special note of gratitude: Much of the inspiration for this particular learning experience was gained at the STEMposium I (Janelle Erickson-WBL Coordinator) attended as part of last year’s STEM BEST grant. The funding and professional development from STEM BEST continue to bring powerful, hands-on learning experiences to our students, and I am deeply grateful for that ongoing support.

It will be exciting to see how our students take everything they learned at ISU and apply it to their next round of innovation.