Pictured, from left, in front: John Losurdo (IIAD), Bruce Sams (IIAD), Dionne Hilliard (Academy of Finance director), Tammy Land (IIAD), Tim Webster (Exchange Club). From left in back: Vince Bell (IIAD), Armando Navarro (Woodrow student), Jake Patin (Woodrow student), Kullen Smith (Woodrow student), Fred Baker (Exchange Club), Gray Powers (Exchange Club).
Woodrow Wilson High School’s Academy of Finance is focusing the next generation on college and career. It was recently the beneficiary of a $5,000 gift from the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas (IIAD) and the East Dallas Exchange Club, which will go towards scholarships, professional clothing, professional skill building and lap tops. But this partnership has paid off in more ways than one big check.
Upon receipt of the generous gift, Dionne Hilliard, director of the club, said “It means a great deal to Woodrow Wilson’s Academy of Finance to receive such a generous donation today. I am excited for the many opportunities it will open up for our students, and even more thrilled to have wonderful partners to help encourage our students to learn more, do more, and be great.”
IIAD and Woodrow’s partnership has included classroom volunteers, job interview boot camps and numerous internships over the last five years. According to East Dallas neighbor and Woodrow parent Tammy Land, IIAD’s executive director, the college application rate for Academy of Finance students has improved from 20 percent to 90 percent since the partnership began. “This partnership has led to more students thinking about college,” Land says. “We have connections with programs at University of North Texas and University of Texas-Dallas which help build a bridge from Woodrow to college, or get jobs in the industry.”
Hilliard knows that the insurance industry is often misunderstood by students and does her best to explain all the options available in the industry. “We are able to introduce students to insurance jobs, which include attorneys, actuaries, and other options. It is not just about insurance, and there are lots of options in the field,” she says. Each year, IIAD has several Woodrow students who work as interns, a valuable experience for students who want a taste of a real career.
IIAD also provides general help to the budding young professionals at Woodrow. They supply a closet of business attire for students so that they have something to wear to interviews. In addition, IIAD hosts an interview boot camp where they give students a crash course in proper workplace behavior. “The students work on best practices for interviews, what not to wear and business etiquette,” Hilliard says. “We talk about their internet footprint, one on one elevator pitches, and how to sell themselves at interviews.”
This partnership will pay dividends in the future, but Hilliard also sees the impact it has on her students right now. “The students who are involved in these programs are more focused and eager to do something outside of high school,” she says.
Hilliard’s background is in the business world, and has enjoyed the transition to working with high school students. “I used to be a corporate trainer at JP Morgan, and teaching high school is amazing. They actually listen to me here. You can see they want to do something better, and you know they will do something with what you are teaching.”
Bill Henry is a long-time member of IIAD who has ties to the East Dallas Exchange Club, helped bring the three organizations together. “Dallas Exchange Club is all about helping deserving students see hope and help for the future,” he says. “This just seemed like a great fit of values and goals to combine these three great organizations to help make our community and the lives of deserving students better. If we help these students, we are helping our communities and ourselves have a better world. And a few of them just might learn something about our great business and join us in the future.”
