Shawnee Students Celebrated for Charter Communications Internships

The Academies of Louisville strive to provide an environment where students discover a community to thrive in. Through the guidance of dedicated educators, students are connected with industry leaders, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world experiences.

The Academy @ Shawnee held a celebration event on May 5, 2025 to recognize four students whose selection for prestigious internships with Charter Communications represents the culmination of this mission. Not only are these the first students from Shawnee to be selected for this opportunity, but Shawnee is the only school to have four students chosen.

Students Receive Exciting News

The students, Jordan Oneil, Cameron Bruederle, Devontay Cox, and Jerrel Thompson, learned of their selection recently. Dr. Reginald McDaniel, Business Management & Entrepreneurship Teacher, expressed his excitement, stating, “It is mindblowing to see their accomplishments." He has been their teacher, mentor, and FBLA sponsor and believes this opportunity “shows them what they’re made of." 

Cameron shared his surprise at being chosen, saying, “I didn’t believe I would do this” coming into high school but felt prepared because of Dr. McDaniel’s mentorship. Jerrel received the call from Sydney Colvin at Charter Communications while in Dr. McDaniel’s class. Sydney recalled how nervous Jerrel was, even noting how hesitant his “hello” was, but also how excited he became after receiving the news.

Cameron and Pat Johnson

Gratitude for Mentorship and Support

Jerrel expressed his gratitude for Dr. McDaniel’s mentorship, acknowledging the value of his guidance. Jerrell joked that some of his “unnecessary work is actually pretty important” in preparing them for this. Dr. McDaniel is also excited about the impact this achievement will have on his sophomore students, as these four juniors will serve as an inspiration. “This is not just optics. It's an opportunity,” he emphasized. 

Sydney and Kacey Hargersheimer represented Spectrum at the celebration. They revealed the competitive nature of the selection process: over 100 applications were received, 50 applicants were chosen for phone screening interviews, 25 were brought in for interviews, and 12 were chosen after three hours of deliberation.  Pat Johnson, Freshman Counselor and former Charter employee, shared his excitement for the students and spoke about the significance of this opportunity. He forged the connection with Shawnee upon becoming a counselor this year and worked throughout the year to make this possible. Principal Joni Britt and Dr. McDaniel both expressed their pride in the students. Dr. McDaniel stated, “I’m thankful that we have the right students representing the West End." Sydney also praised the students' performance during the interviews, saying, “We saw nothing but great things. They came not just with good answers but great questions."

Internship Details 

The internship, a full-time, seven-week commitment this summer, with the possibility of extending on a part-time basis through their final year of high school, offers a learning-intensive program designed to give the students essential business insights and hands-on experience in the technology field. The students will be trained to perform in a customer service capacity, providing basic customer support related to Charter services. This includes troubleshooting internet and phone issues and handling basic customer billing inquiries and payments. The interns can expect benefits including professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and mentorship.

Life Skills

Dr. McDaniel, drawing from his own experience in customer service, provided insights into what the students might expect. He advised them that customers often bring their frustrations to the call, so the students will need to “add value to their day or de-escalate a situation,” skills that will be beneficial in their personal and professional lives. “I kept my job because I kept my composure,” he shared. Ms. Britt humorously added, “Cameron, I can’t wait to hear one of your calls,” while also acknowledging the challenges of the job and the valuable skills the students will acquire.

Personal Growth and Future Opportunities

Sydney expressed her enthusiasm for supporting the students' growth mindset and career development. Jordan reflected on his personal growth, recalling how he struggled with conversations in early high school and even relied on Dr. McDaniel to order his food on an FBLA trip. He credits the business pathway and Dr. McDaniel’s guidance for preparing him for this internship. This internship offers a valuable opportunity for these students to gain real-world experience, develop essential skills, and prepare for future success.