Brooklyn's Progress
January 2002

William E. Grady High School has begun a new fifth year program at The New York Marriott Brooklyn. “The Brooklyn Marriott Hotel Intern Program” is a hands-on training program whereby students learn by doing. The program’s goal is to train students in all departments of the hotel. Some interns are working in the catering department: cooks, pastry chef, restaurant hosts, and room service. Other students are working at the front desk, switchboard operator, doorman, engineering, housekeeping, executive office, and human resources. Hopefully these students will become successfully employed in the hotel industry. These students are between the ages of 18 and 21. They also have the opportunity to complete their high school diploma requirements while they are in the training program. They have excellent attendance and are very responsible. Many say that they “love” what they are doing. Camille Sawick, the assistant principal of Special Education at the high school, is the supervisor of the program. Her encouragement and support have certainly helped to make the program a success. Audrey Hecht-Stewart, the teacher/coordinator at The Marriott Hotel, said, “This program is exactly what young adults need; a positive environment to work in as a team member of a highly motivated team.” They all work to achieve the goals of the Marriott mission statement – “Do whatever it takes to exceed the expectations of all people.”