Five Project SEARCH interns recently completed their school year at Hamilton Health Care System. A special recognition night was held to honor them.

This year’s Project SEARCH interns include: Seth Roark, Northwest Whitfield High School; Hannah Hight, Coahulla Creek High School; Donna Vasquez, Dalton High School; Tiffany Mullinax, Northwest Whitfield High School; and Alex Timms, Dalton High School.

Interns rotated through jobs at Hamilton in Environmental Services, Food Services, Hospice, Laundry Services, Maintenance, Materials Management and Royal Oaks Dining Services – coached by Karen Hutchinson, instructor, and Laura Beavers, Cross Plains Community Partner employment specialist. Through interest questionnaires and strength assessments, instructors and interns worked together to find the best fit in three of the work areas.

Project SEARCH is a high school transitional program to help students with disabilities learn transferable job skills, some of which may lead to employment at Hamilton. It is a collaborative program of Dalton Public Schools, Whitfield County Schools, Hamilton, Cross Plains Community Partner and the local Vocational Rehabilitation office.