Action Items
- Bid Now: Looking to give back and win big? AEF’s annual July 4th auction is live until Sunday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m. We've planned your perfect staycation so you can experience DC like never before.
- It’s your last chance to join AEF for the annual July 4th VIP Celebration from 7-10 p.m. Enjoy exclusive firework views, music and vibes on the American Pharmacists Association’s Potomac View Terrace.
- Celebrate the start of Career Ready Internships. Meet the two senior interns who will support the group of 15 high school students over the next six weeks.
- Get Involved: Volunteer as an industry judge for AEF’s Career Ready Interns. Sign-ups are available every Thursday from July 3-31.
- For the first time since 2019, AEF welcomed back its signature program, Rite of Passage. Discover what 35 Wallace Middle School students experienced during their three-day journey through DC in June.
Celebrate Independence Day with AEF! Join the annual VIP rooftop celebration and fundraiser on July 4 from 7-10 p.m. on the American Pharmacists Association’s Potomac View Terrace. Your ticket directly supports scholarships and work-based learning for DC high school students.
Enjoy great fireworks, food, drinks and family-friendly fun from a private rooftop.
| Buy Tickets |
Unable to join us? You can still support students and win big. Participate in our annual raffle and auction for DC experiences.
| Enter to Win |
AEF and Destination DC welcome high school interns to the team for six weeks this summer. Through the Career Ready Internship (CRI) program, young leaders will meet with hotels, restaurants, attractions and more across the hospitality industry as they experience Washington, DC through a professional and visitor lens.
Welcome
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Looking to get involved? AEF is seeking judges to provide constructive feedback for weekly intern presentations on Thursdays through July 31.
| Volunteer Today |
AEF welcomes back two alumni this year to support the CRI cohort and contribute to marketing projects for the organization. Learn more about their internship as they guide students through a curriculum exploring youth-friendly Washington, DC.
“I’m excited to meet and interact with the high school interns. Having once been in their place as a two-time CRI in high school myself, it feels like a full-circle moment to be in a position where I can support and guide them through their own internship.”
- Macie Ellis, Jackson-Reed High School ’22, Bowie State University ’27
"What excites me most about this internship is the opportunity to give back to AEF – a program that has had a profound impact on my life since high school. Over the past two weeks, it’s been an honor to work alongside the dedicated AEF staff, participate in impactful meetings and contribute to the mission that has helped shape my journey. Being part of this team feels both inspiring and empowering."
- Ty Monroe, Coolidge High School ’24, Wake Forest University ’28
For the first time since 2019, AEF, the SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) and Educational Tours, Inc (ETI) hosted the Rite of Passage field trip, sponsoring a middle school located on the East Coast to showcase the nation’s capital as the most popular travel destination for student groups.
Thirty-five students and seven chaperones from Waterbury, Connecticut’s Wallace Middle School attended the three-day excursion to DC.
Thank you to the partners who helped support this program:
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| Learn More |
Our Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media have been busy the last few weeks of school. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs closed out the year with career fairs, presentations, awards and graduation ceremonies. Highlights include:
- Jackson-Reed hosted the Annual Academy Showcase.
- Roosevelt’s Career and Technical Education students hosted the 2nd Annual Taste of Petworth, where AEF was honored as partner of the year.
- Coolidge Media Network celebrated scholars with a Multimedia Showcase.
- Ballou brought together industry partners for a Job Fair & Career Expo.
Congratulations to the class of 2025 on an amazing year! We are excited to see you continue to grow and proud to welcome our new AEF alumni.
Connect with AEF:
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