WHAT'S NEXT 

Culinary Scholars from Ballou Senior High School serve lemonade at Destination DC's Member Open House event
  • Get involved: The Career & Technical Student Organization State Leadership Conference returns March 10-11. Support students by volunteering as an industry judge. No experience needed.  
  • See how scholars from Ballou High School and Coolidge High School built connections at Destination DC’s (DDC) Open House.  
  • Learn how our schools honored and celebrated Black History Month.  
  • NEXTDC’s annual rooftop celebration and fundraiser returns July 4th at the American Pharmacists Association Potomac View Terrace. Join us for an unforgettable evening. 
NEXTDC Advanced Interns network with business owners at Destination DC's Member Open House

Scholars at Open House

Our partners at DDC hosted their annual Member Open House on Feb. 24. Scholars from Ballou High School’s Academy of Culinary Arts showcased their talents with a dedicated lemonade and snack stand while students from Coolidge High School's Academy of Mass Media captured memorable moments alongside the ETC Photo and Video Activation.  

Five interns from NEXTDC’s Advanced Internship Program (AIP) supported multiple DDC departments by greeting guests, networking with industry executives and sharing their experiences with NEXTDC.  
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Volunteer speaking with a student at Ballou High School's Men in Career & Technical Education (CTE) panel discussion

Celebrating Black History Month

February was a time to reflect on and uplift our students’ stories and classroom activations in celebration of Black history. 
  • Coolidge High School hosted a dynamic media showcase highlighting the legacy of Black Wall Street.   
  • Ballou High School led a Men in Career & Technical Education (CTE) panel discussion and organized a student-led “speakeasy” activation.  
  • NEXTDC Advanced Interns toured the “Freedom and Resistance” exhibition at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. 
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DC Career & Technical Student Organiztion state competition flyer

We Need Your Expertise

Volunteers are needed for the DC Career & Technical Student Organizations' annual state competition.
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July 4th VIP Celebration

Don’t miss out on this special DC250 event in support of students, featuring the best view of the fireworks.
BUY TICKETS
People dancing at NEXTDC's July 4th VIP Celebration
Educators from DC's Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media with NEXTDC staff in offices posing with welcome sign

Connecting Industry and School

NEXTDC concluded National Career and Technical Education Month with a work-based learning planning session and mid-year retreat with educators and directors across the DC Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Mass Media and Sports Marketing.

The session focused on preparing students for Career Ready Internship interviews and resume workshops, expanding access to Special Agent Academy certification and strengthening opportunities to connect industry volunteers with classrooms.   
 
Student receives a scholarship from NEXTDC

Scholarships are Open

Are you a current Academy student or alumnus? Apply for a NEXTDC scholarship by April 10. 
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Save the Date

The Annual Building Futures Scholarship Celebration returns May 21. It’s not too late to support DC scholars ahead of the event.
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Former NEXTDC intern, Shamiyah MCGee, speaking at the Annual Building Futures Scholarship Celebration
 

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