St. Johns County Celebrates 3rd Annual Student Shadow Program
Five local high school students completed the course from June 8 to 16, 2026
Key points
- Five St. Johns County high school students completed the 3rd Annual Student Shadow Program, an eight-day immersive experience held June 8–16, 2026, that provided firsthand exposure to local government operations, public service careers, and civic engagement opportunities in St. Johns County, Florida.
- Students explored multiple County departments and critical community services, including County Administration, the Emergency Operations Center, Fire Rescue, Public Works, Health and Human Services, Utilities, Parks and Recreation, and the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, gaining insight into how local government supports residents every day.
- The Student Shadow Program helps develop future community leaders by connecting students with County leadership and professionals, fostering an understanding of public service, government operations, and the importance of civic involvement while highlighting career pathways within local government.
Five local high school students from St. Johns County recently completed the 2026 St. Johns County Student Shadow Program, an eight-day immersive program that included tours, activities, and engaging discussion with County leadership and experts across various fields of County operations. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video highlighting the program and the students.
Parmis Molavi and Sandhya Kumar, rising seniors at Allen D. Nease High School, Aidan Chen, rising senior at Creekside High School, Luka Zarczynski and Gabriel Nochera, rising juniors at Ponte Vedra High School, completed the prestigious program.
“The St. Johns County Student Shadow Program offers students a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of local government” said Shelby Romero, Senior Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners. “By connecting with County departments and professionals, the students gain valuable insight into the services that support our community; while developing a greater appreciation for civic engagement, public service, and the impact local government has on everyday life.”
From June 8–16, the students participated in a variety of tours and activities, including visits to County Administration, the Emergency Operations Center, Health and Human Services, Fire Rescue, the Pet Center, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, the Golf Course, and Public Affairs. They also toured the Utilities Department’s water and wastewater treatment plants, received a private tour of local farms in St. Johns County, participated in a Hastings revitalization tour, attended public board meetings, and interacted with the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.
“We were so fortunate to have Aidan, Gabriel, Luka, Parmis, and Sandhya join us this year,” Romero added. “Their enthusiasm, curiosity, professionalism, and eagerness to learn made this experience truly rewarding.”
Stay informed of more St. Johns County news by subscribing to our e-newsletters and learn how we’re shaping our community’s future by advancing the SJC Strategic Plan through the Office of Public Affairs.
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