Practicum of Hospitality Services Partners with The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel

 

For the first time the Dekaney high school students began an internship with the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel.  Six enthusiastic and energetic students seized the opportunity.  The purpose of the class is for the students to learn about the hospitality industry and what better way than with hands-on learning at the actual hotel.

 

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott graciously opened her doors to our students September 9, 2013.  Three days a week the students along with their teacher, Eloise Reigrut leave school and make the hotel their “classroom”.  The students rotate throughout the hotel.  They work alongside actual hotel employees. The students have learned and worked in the culinary department, loss prevention, engineering /maintenance, banquets, housekeeping, room service, audio visual, and the hotel restaurants.  In each of these departments the managers and the staff have been educational and life experience mentors to the students.

 

Also this year the students participated in the Marriott’s community Children’s Miracle Walkathon.  They also visited the University of Houston which offers a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.  Several students have expressed an interested in this major as a career choice.

On campus the students are involved in DECA.  DECA   is co-curricular and designed to be a part of the classroom instructional program. Interning at the Marriott has given the students confidence.  Several of the students competed in DECA district events and advanced to State level competition. These students had to go through an application process in order to be considered for the class.  The successful candidate must have good attendance and a positive attitude.

 

The teacher Eloise Reigrut had established a hotel partnership back in San Antonio and when she interviewed she asked if she could possibly begin such a class here at Dekaney.  She was enthusiastically given the green light by Dr. Delic Loyde Principal and Cindy Worley Academic Dean.  Mrs. Reigrut working closely with Cynthia Williams District Director of Career and Technology Education negotiated with the Marriott. The Area General Manager, Fred Domenick was receptive to the idea and has been generous in allowing the students to intern at the hotel.   Jane Goulait, Marriott Director of Human Resources, and  Diane Henriquez, Human Resources Generalist  helped create onsite training, and orientation. Ms. Goulait was the first point of contact at the Marriott and from the very beginning was instrumental in establishing the program.   Ms. Henriquez who was a DECA and hotel intern while in high school is the day to day hotel contact.