The Regional Occupational Program (R.O.P.) offers 40 classes within the district. Each year R.O.P teachers nominate their best students for the Student of the Year competition. This year, representing Mayfair, is junior Alex Vu. He was nominated by his Criminal Justice teacher Mr. Robert Carcano who is a retired police officer with the Montebello Police Department. Several R.O.P students were interviewed in January by district and L.A. County R.O.P staff. As a result of the interviews, five students were selected from Mayfair and Bellflower High School to represent the district in the county wide competition held in March. There are 23 school districts in L.A. County that offer R.O.P classes through the L.A. County Office of Education (LACOE).

On March 22, over 100 students from all over Los Angeles County came to interview and compete to win gold and silver medals. Students were given points for a completed job application, resume, and interview. Students also presented a project that reflected what they have learned in class.

The BUSD students were first taken to lunch the day of their big interviews. At LACOE, Vu was interviewed by a panel of three people from different industries who were volunteering their time to interview the students for the day. Vu had to be professionally dressed for this interview, which meant a suit and tie. When asked about how Vu felt about being nominated for student of the year he stated, “It is a really big honor to be chosen to represent Mayfair, and I am glad I was the one chosen to do it.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, current high school students will have 10-14 jobs by the time they are 38-years-old. When asked on how Miss Madrid felt about the student recognition interviews she stated, “It is important that every young person practice doing job interviews and this process allows students to get feed back on their interviews so they can improve for the next time. Students who take R.O.P classes are more prepared for future job interviews. Also, according to the statistics, R.O.P students are not only more likely to graduate high school, but to go to college as well. Students really need to learn that it is not only education that will get them hired, but their interview skills and experience play a big part.”

On April 14, the students who represented the district will be honored with a dinner at the district office and will be recognized by the Bellflower Unified School District Board of Education. With all the benefits that R.O.P provides, students should take advantage of the classes while they are still in high school, and it’s free.