Skiatook Chamber of Commerce awards Junior Chamber Scholarship

In 2022 the Skiatook Chamber of Commerce brought back an older program but recreated it. They ended up piloting the Junior Chamber program.

The idea was to get high school students involved in their community, while teaching them real life skills that they will need in the workforce. The Chamber wanted to help them reach their goal whether that was a trade school, 4 year university or simply going straight to work after graduation, but again helping equip them with real like skills and experiences that the need outside the walls of SHS. The Junior Chamber members have monthly lunch meetings with business leasers, they have special field trips and volunteer opportunities. It started out as a way to show the students how the economic system works in the place where they live, work, play and go to school in but it turned into something much larger than that.

In the inaugural year, there were 19 junior chamber members from 9-12th grade with 4 interns that went into the community to receive hands on experience. While Skiatook’s local businesses were receiving much needed labor, the students were gaining knowledge and high school credit. This school year, there are 18 senior interns throughout Skiatook, Oklahoma making a difference with out business leaders, gaining knowledge and experience, receiving high school credit all while the Skiatook Chamber of Commerce is growing their partnerships in order to build a workforce pipeline.

This program has been so innovative and successful that other communities and chambers have been looking to Skiatook to take on this program as one of their own.

Last year the Skiatook Chamber of Commerce was fortunate to award one scholarship to a graduating senior. This year, with the sponsorship of Exchange Bank and an anonymous donor they were able to award a $600.00 sponsorship to another graduating SHS senior to help in her higher education.

This year we were able to have an intern in his senior year of high school hang out in the office every morning to learn the in's and out's of the construction business. What a joy it has been to see his smiling face daily and we wish him the best of luck in his future!

- Sharp Concrete & Construction, LLC

We have greatly enjoyed being a part of the intern program this year. Summer has been a valuable asset to our business and we are excited she has decided to stay with us and work this summer. 

This is a great partnership and I hope this program continues in the future. 

- T3 Roasters