YouthBuild Public Charter School at the Ritz

YouthBuild PCS student leadership council participated in their first two-day Student Leadership and Professional Retreat at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City in late January. The four council members benefited from several workshops and activities including professional business etiquette, leadership development, employee shadowing sessions, and five-star guest treatment from the hotel’s staff.

According to Allison Lee, placement specialist at YouthBuild PCS, through the workshops the students learned about the hotel industry, but most importantly this exposure allowed them to make a self assessment of their behavior and to recognize what it is like to be in a professional setting. Dorothy Dues, 19, says at first it was shocking to see the hotel’s staff treating everyone like “important people.” Dorothy also learned the significance of behaving a certain way. “[Etiquette] is very important because you never know who is around watching you. This real life experience opened my eyes,” she said.

The retreat was made possible by Jay Bonstingl, a trainer who has been working with YouthBuild PCS and the Ritz Carlton. Training for the students was provided by Kimberly Rattley of Creative Synergy Solutions and Mr. Bontingl.