VALDOSTA – Jazmyne Clark will have $2,100 in her pocket and work experience from a summer internship offered by Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program. 

Clark, a rising junior attending Valdosta Early College Academy, is one of 18 participants in the TEAM Success program, according to school officials. TEAM is an acronym for Teaching, Enlightening, Achieving and Mentoring.

For six weeks, Clark shadowed Lowndes County Extension Agent Joshua Dawson. As a county extension agent, Dawson provides technical assistance to local farmers and the community. During the program, Clark assisted Dawson in activities and projects in areas of agriculture.

Kena Torbert, family life specialist and coordinator of the TEAM Success program, said participants leave with a well-rounded experience. 

“The TEAM Success program engages our high school juniors and seniors in positive work experiences in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H while learning about Fort Valley State University degree programs,” Torbert said. “The work experiences help the youth to understand their strength and weaknesses, nurture their verbal and written communication techniques and sample a non-traditional work choice.”

To be selected for TEAM Success, students must be entering the 11th or 12th grade or be a high school graduating senior. They must live in one of 14 counties where an FVSU cooperative extension program county agent or program assistant is based.

In addition, students must complete and submit an application, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.4, acquire three letters of recommendation, write an essay and submit the information to the local extension agent or program assistant, according to school officials. 

The TEAM Success selection committee reviews the materials where applicants are ranked based on criteria that include content, neatness and creativity.

For more information about the TEAM Success program, contact Kena Torbert, (478) 825-6573, or e-mail at torbertk@fvsu.edu.