Five Star Magnet Program

Seniors in Mrs. Kummerlen’s International Finance and Law class were in for a treat when they recently toured the Port of Palm Beach! The tour began with a lecture from Carl Baker, Director of Operations for the port and a proud graduate of PBGHS! He explained the functions of the port and its vital role in moving merchandise to and from the Caribbean, as well as the security protocols in place to ensure that the port is not a weak link in the chain of homeland security. Following Mr. Baker’s lecture, the students enjoyed a bus tour of the port facility and then walked through the various warehouses that contain the goods being shipped to the Caribbean. This field trip provided a terrific opportunity for students to see the mechanics of international trade up close.

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On November 15^th, students from the Tourism, Hospitality, and Resort Management and Global Business and Entrepreneurship magnets attended the annual Northwood University International Festival. Students toured the verdant campus and listened to current students speak about why they enjoy Northwood University. After learning about the university, the students entered the gym for the international festival, an event hosted by tourism students at Northwood University. Working in teams, the college students presented various aspects of the cultures of Colombia, Venezuela, Greece, Serbia, and Canada. Of course, the highlight for the students was enjoying the foods of these diverse cultures!

On Friday, October 28, 2011, Palm Beach Gardens Graduate (Class of 1975) and Palm Beach County Criminal Circuit Court Judge Jeffery Colbath came and spoke to the Senior Global Business students in their International Finance & Law Honors class.  Judge Colbath came to speak about proper courtroom etiquette because the students will be going on a field trip to the Palm Beach County Courthouse.  He also told the students how a day in the life of a Circuit Court Judge works and had many very interesting stories to share with the students.  The one and one-half hour lecture flew by! The students learned a lot and had the opportunity to ask a lot of questions. We really appreciated having such a distinguished and entertaining speaker in our classroom!

The t.v. magnet students went on a field trip to the Channel 25 television station.  At the station, the students learned the history of Channel 25.  The students toured the station and got to see the “control room”, which is where news casts and other production is “switched”, as well as the “master control”, which is the heart and soul of any television station.  Also, the students watched the noon newscast from both the control room and the studio floor.  Overall, the students enjoyed visiting a professional television station.

The business magnet students arrived at the airport at 5:00 a.m. and departed West Palm Beach for New York City.  When the students got to New York, they went on a double-decker bus tour.  In this tour, the students got to see an overview of New York City.  After the tour, the students went to The Empire State Building.  Also, the students enjoyed riding the subway, seeing the 9/11 memorial, and visiting Ellis Island.  Overall the trip was a blast for all the students.

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On October 12^th, Tourism, Hospitality, and Resort Management students Welsonne Renoir, Elena Jones-Navarro, and Esther Foreste attended the Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association’s annual Hotel Day at the West Palm Beach Hilton. In addition to serving as the monthly meeting of the Association, Hotel Day also includes a job fair and a trade show. The students toured the trade show, which featured goods and services from businesses that work in support of hotels, such as marketing companies and rental car businesses. After the trade show, the meeting began with our own Welsonne Renoir leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The students had the pleasure of seeing a 2011 PBGHS graduate, Andrea Santizo, accept a scholarship to apply toward her studies at Northwood University. Another exciting highlight was the PBCHLA’s gift of $750 to the Tourism, Hospitality, and Resort Management Magnet. The PBCHLA has been a tremendous supporter of the Five Star Magnet Program, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support.

On September 28^th, students in the Tourism, Hospitality, and Resort Management Magnet attended the annual Student Tourism Conference hosted by the Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association. The conference, this year held at the spectacular Boca Raton Resort and Club, provides a unique opportunity for our students to interact with professionals in the hospitality industry and representatives from local post-secondary institutions. Students attended breakout sessions on topics on a variety of topics, from interviewing skills to learning about the breadth of careers in hospitality. Of course, the students’ favorite part was the competitions, which took place after lunch! We are proud of our students for representing PBGHS so well, and we are grateful to the Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association for their ongoing support of our magnet program.

On September 14^th, students in the Tourism, Hospitality, and Resort Management Magnet, along with their teacher, Mr. Fred Mullins, attended the September meeting of the Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association at the historic Breakers Hotel on Palm Beach. Prior to lunch, students toured the majestic grounds and had the opportunity to meet with several general managers of local hotels, as well as the allied membership of the Association. The support of the PBCHLA has been a tremendous boon to the magnet program, and we look forward to continuing a mutually beneficial partnership!

                The defining event in a Sports Management student’s high school career is, of course, the big golf tournament at PGA National Resort. Taking place in October of the students’ junior year, planning is well underway by the end of their sophomore year. This year, committee representatives from all of the golf tournament committees had the opportunity to volunteer at the annual Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association Golf Tournament, and in doing so, see a successful golf tournament in action while assisting one of our most valued community resources.

On May 6^th, freshmen in the Sports Management and Recreation Magnet walked down the street to Palm Beach Gardens Elementary School to assist with the school’s annual Field Day. The day was truly enjoyed by students old and young, not to mention by chaperones Karyn Hart and Justin Gilken. This is an annual event and an important part of our community outreach.