Named for its focus on architecture and design, our Designery program has historically been geared towards high school students who want an enriching afterschool or summer experience. But over the past year, YBB has been piloting an additional model through which seniors from Fenway High School have been earning school credit by participating in the program during school hours. As the school year winds down, Designery Fenway students are preparing for the last phase of their Designery in-school experience: placement with a local design firm or construction company.

So far the in-school program model has been highly successful, with a majority of students remaining motivated and expressing great passion about their projects. A number of students and Fenway staff have even commented on how the program has helped them stay engaged in school through the pandemic by giving them school work that inspires them to keep showing up to the virtual classroom.

The students have been earning stipends while honing fundamental skills in visual, graphic, modeling, and design-thinking. But perhaps the biggest takeaway for these students has been leadership in community improvement through a research project on a topic of their choice.

We are so proud of each of these students and the progress they’ve made in the program. We can’t wait to see what they are able to achieve in their summer internships and beyond. YBB extends our warmest congratulations to these soon-to-be graduates and we wish them all the best as they continue to develop their passions and improve their communities.