Forty teams participate in annual high school senior exit interviews

Annual senior exit interviews were conducted Wednesday, May 19, in the Fort Atkinson High School IMC. 

During the interviews, high school seniors were invited to share their educational portfolios and future goals with members of the community, including representatives from the business community, School District of Fort Atkinson staff, and others. The purpose of the interviews is to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and reflect on thier high school experience, information recently released by the school district stated. 

This year, approximately 40 teams — each comprised of a Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce member and school district educator — participated in the interviews. Teams took time to review the portfolios before meeting with the students.

“Our chamber appreciates the partnership we share with our high school in helping prepare students for the workforce,” Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carrie Chisholm was quoted as saying in the release. 

“We hope the connections they make with the business community will inspire them in their personal aspirations, and perhaps plant a seed for continuing their professional journey with one of our local employers,” she added. 

According to the release: The portfolio process begins the moment the student walks into the district’s schools. Throughout their educational journey, district staff members suggest what pieces of work should be saved for each student’s portfolio. From core academic areas, to extracurricular clubs and activities, these portfolios are designed to celebrate the hard work of each student, and celebrate their interests and success. 

“The portfolio process is an important step for our senior students to graduate. All seniors must complete their portfolio and their interview in order to receive their Fort Atkinson High School diploma. The senior class has 241 students enrolled and the students had a choice to interview in person or virtually. Thirty-four students chose virtual interviews while the remainder of the students participated in person. For some senior students it was their first time back in the building since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Associate Principal Brad Gefvert said.

“When you consider the connection our senior portfolio process provides for and the experience our students leave with, it’s an absolutely critical piece of getting our students ready for what’s next. Whether it’s the combined years of positive experiences our students have had throughout their educational journey they get to share or the physical process of interviewing with fantastic community and school district volunteers, this process truly is an inspiration to be able to share,” High School Principal Dan Halvorsen noted.

“I am always so honored to be asked to help in the senior portfolio interviews. This year’s seniors were some of my first students at the middle school and I am so lucky to be able to talk to them about how their journey in high school was, and am excited to learn about their goals for the future. This is such a great experience not only for the students to be able to reflect on their time, and set goals for the future, but also for them to have the opportunity to pridefully share their learning and growth as individuals. I am so privileged to be a part of this process,” School Counselor at the district’s middle school Sarah Traut-Ebert said.

A number of Fort Atkinson High School alumni who have returned to work and raise families in the Fort Atkinson community volunteer as part of the process. These volunteers have, themselves, been through the portfolio process, according to the release.  

“This was my first year participating in the Senior Portfolio Exit Interview process as an interviewer. When I graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 2005, I completed and presented my own portfolio. What a difference to be on the other side of the table. I was impressed how this graduating class overcame the challenges of the pandemic and excelled at virtual learning. I was honored to hear their life stories and what they have planned in the coming years. Some students are entering the military, some higher education and some right into the workforce. All were excited to move on to the next stage of life. I loved hearing how specific teachers made a lasting impact on their journey. I hope to have the opportunity to participate as an interviewer in future years,” Whitney Townsend, a graduate of Fort Atkinson High School and current branch manager at Fort Communty Credit Union(FCCU), said. 

“The interaction I had with FHS seniors during their senior portfolio interviews was so rewarding. Seeing the excitement for the future these kids have, especially after such a trying year, deepens my love for our community and excites me for their future and the impact they will make for us all. As a Fort High alum, I myself went through the senior interview process and was happy to give back.” Kaylee Kidd, marketing and communications assistant for the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, said.  

“Senior exit interviews are always on the top of my list of activities to volunteer for. One reason is because I went through this same process as a senior at Fort Atkinson High School and can remember how impactful it was prior to graduation. I can still tell you where my portfolio is at and continued adding to it even after high school. It was rewarding then to know how invested our business community was in our class’s success and it’s equally as rewarding now to be on the opposite side of the table,” Fort Atkinson City Council president and Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce ambassador president and board president-elect Chris Scherer said. Scherer is also the founder of a business called 2020 Evolve.  

He added: “The student population is a vital part of our community and senior exit interviews are a fantastic way for us to learn about how our school district has prepared students for their next chapter in life, why students want to stay in Fort Atkinson or come back after further education, and what career tracks students are interested in and may be looking for locally. Most importantly, these interviews are a perfect reminder that Fort Atkinson has always been invested in the success of our students and we will always be supportive in their endeavors.” 

“I look forward to the senior portfolio interviews every year. It is so rewarding to have the opportunity to look into the future. The seniors continue to amaze me year after year. I believe it is one of the best programs the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and School District of Fort Atkinson have partnered in. As an FAHS alum, and a student participant in the inaugural portfolio interview, it gives me great pleasure and a sense of pride to volunteer,” Tom Dehnert, vice president of Badger Bank and a Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce ambassador, said.