Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Margaretta "Maggie" Wilson is a sophomore at Quakertown Community High School.
Quakertown Community High School announces a pioneering collaboration with Laura Bishop Communications (LBC), ushering in an innovative approach to experiential learning and professional development for students.
Quakertown has joined forces with LBC, a school communications firm, in a collaborative effort integrated into the school’s curriculum. The endeavor offers students a unique platform to intern and interact with industry experts while gaining practical insights into the real-life work worlds of public relations and journalism. Founded in 2011 by Laura Bishop, the firm specializes in strategic and internal communications with a focus in education through its extensive work with school districts in the Philadelphia suburbs and New Jersey.
With several stories already under their belts, the students, who named themselves Panther Productions, are covering the school community and highlighting school accomplishments and events districtwide. Several student interns plan to pursue journalism as a career, including Margaretta “Maggie” Wilson, a sophomore at Quakertown Community High School, who will also be embarking on a pre-college program with the New York Times this coming summer. LBC plans to replicate the internship program with its school district partners across the region.
“We are so impressed with these students, and the maturity and skills they have shown even in the early stages of this partnership,” LBC Managing Principal Laura Bishop said. “This career takes a lot of creativity, thinking outside the box, and brainpower.
“The Quakertown interns have it all,” she said. “While public relations and journalism are different, the two fields are inextricably connected and there is so much we can all learn by working together.”
School administrators and staff who have been integral to the launch of this program include: Quakertown Community School District Superintendent Matthew Friedman, Quakertown Community High School Principal Mattias Van’t Hoenderdaal, video and TV production teacher Michael “Lincoln” Karr and journalism and English teacher Tyler Kitchenman. Through this collaborative effort, students meet with LBC to receive guidance and direction.
“An important part of the education process is providing our students with opportunities beyond the classroom, to help sharpen skills, guide career focus, and prepare to enter the workforce,” Van’t Hoenderdaal said. “Through the internship program with LBC, our students can apply curriculum in a practical, realistic setting and gain new life skills such as time management, problem-solving and teamwork.”
The partnership between Quakertown Community High School and LBC is rooted in a shared commitment to foster excellence in education and provide students with positive and invaluable learning opportunities.
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