BOSTON — Anne Marie Odney, of Lynn, a senior at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate, was one of five high school seniors and juniors from Greater Boston selected as Student Leaders through the Bank of America philanthropic program. The national program is celebrating its 15-year anniversary, and offers young people an opportunity to build their workforce and leadership skills through a paid summer internship at a local nonprofit, and the ability to help improve their communities. Odney’s host organization is the Boys and Girls Club of Lynn.
“Bank of America is committed to supporting youth employment and economic mobility,” said Miceal Chamberlain, Massachusetts President, Bank of America. “The Student Leaders program represents a key component of our commitment to foster the next generation of leaders and to build a more civically engaged society, combining the strengths of the private, public and nonprofit sectors to truly maximize upon the positive social change we can create.”
The Greater Boston Student Leaders were chosen by a local market selection committee headed by Chamberlain and comprised of business executives and nonprofit leaders. Selection criteria included demonstration of civic engagement and awareness, academic and extra-curricular achievements, and compelling written statements about why the student should be accepted into the program. Awardees were then matched with nonprofit host organizations that provide them with an enriching eight-week internship experience.
The other 2019 Greater Boston Student Leaders are: Erin Cesmeli, of Lexington, junior, Lexington High School (host organization: Mass Mentoring Partnership in Boston); Joseph Kang, of Hyde Park, junior, Boston Trinity Academy (host organization: Hyde Square
Task Force in Jamaica Plain); Sadé Ratliff, of Randolph, senior, Randolph High School (host organization: Father Bill’s & MainSpring in Quincy); and Tomás Salazar, of Watertown, junior, Boston Trinity Academy (host organization: Somerville Homeless Coalition in Somerville).