Beyond the Classroom: How Delone Catholic is Preparing Students for Life After High School

by John T. Urichek ’25

An essential purpose of high school is to explore future possibilities and prepare for the next steps in life. Delone Catholic provides its students with excellent opportunities to effectively plan their future. From internships to career days, the school offers many resources to help students prepare for careers in the “real world.”

A Growing Internship Program

Since the 2020-21 school year, Delone Catholic’s internship program has grown significantly, from just three students in its first year to 17 students in 2024-25. Internships can last for one semester or a full school year and are sponsored by several local businesses, including the school itself.

The school’s Internship Coordinator, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, works to match students with opportunities that align with their interests. “We try to offer whatever students are interested in. It depends on what students request,” she explains. Mrs. Taylor notes that student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “I have not had anyone say they had a bad experience,” she says, adding that many students report that their internship has helped them gain experience interacting with adults in a professional setting.

Students are enthusiastic about the program. Luke Wenger ‘26 is interning at the school for the second year in a row, assisting with the Delone Catholic Broadcasting Network (DCBN). He highly recommends the program, stating, “I would 100 percent recommend doing an internship related to your job interests now so that you can be better prepared when you graduate high school.” Luke adds that his experience has helped him learn more about broadcasting, working with others, and career development.

Vocational and Technical Pathways

For students interested in hands-on careers, Delone Catholic offers flexible scheduling that allows them to participate in programs at vocational schools, such as the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI).

Levi Davenport ‘25 is a great example of this flexibility. During his senior year, Davenport co-enrolled in Hanover Auto Team’s Tech Pathways program, a pre-apprenticeship program for automotive service technicians. The program requires over 300 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction during a student’s senior year. Levi appreciates the flexible schedule that allows him to complete his Delone Catholic graduation requirements in the morning before attending the Tech Pathways program every afternoon. “It is a great opportunity to learn more about stuff you’re untrained in,” he says.

Another Squire who benefits from flexible scheduling is Benjamin Caretti ‘26, who studies computer networking at ACTI. In February of 2025, Caretti was named the Adams County Technical Institute’s Student of the Quarter, selected for his academic achievement, character, and service.

Navigating College and Careers with Naviance

While some Delone Catholic graduates choose to enter the workforce directly, many pursue higher education. To support them, the School Counseling Department provides access to Naviance, a website that helps students explore their college and career options.

Mr. Steve Hutton, the school’s Naviance expert, highlights the resource’s impact. Before the school started using Naviance in 2018, students had to come to the counseling office to research colleges. Now, Mr. Hutton says, “students have that information at their fingertips.”

Naviance also helps students explore careers they may not have considered. The program requires students to complete specific tasks each year, starting as early as their freshman year, keeping them engaged in planning for life after high school. Mr. Hutton points to the “Roadtrip Nation” feature, which offers 12,000 videos detailing various careers. “It’s a good trend in society where more individuals see opportunities that don’t require a four-year degree,” he adds.

Once students have a career path in mind, Naviance simplifies the college decision process with organizational tools that help them sort colleges and schedule visits with university representatives. These tools also make the application and admissions process easier for students and their families.

Since implementing Naviance, there has been an increase in Delone Catholic students accepted into four-year colleges. The Class of 2024 achieved an 80% acceptance rate, a 10% increase from the Class of 2021.