On July 24, 25 high school juniors graduated from their summer internships in a ceremony at Blackhawk Technical College’s Beloit-Janesville Campus. Each student shared a summary of their internship experiences, offering insights and achievements with family, friends and employers in attendance.

Through a partnership with Blackhawk, the County of Rock, Rock County 5.0 and the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, the 2026 Summer Rock Internship Program is a paid, six-week, earn-and-learn opportunity that provides students with a structured career pathway experience.

Feedback from the interns included comments such as: 

• “I was nervous on my first day, but everyone welcomed me and made me feel like part of the team. By the end of the second week, I felt like I truly belonged.”
• “Before this internship, I had never worked in a professional setting. Now I know what employers expect and feel much more prepared for my future.”
• “I improved my communication skills, learned how to work with different people, and became more comfortable solving problems on my own.”

Rock Interns are selected through a competitive application process and matched with area employers who align with their career and/or occupational pathways. Since 2018, more than 160 students from Rock County have successfully participated in this structured, career-focused offering. 

Employers participating in this summer’s program included: 

• Angus Young
• Blackhawk Technical College
• CCI
• Edgerton Hospital & Health Services
• Frito Lay
• Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce
• JP Cullen
• Mercyhealth
• OrthoIllinois
• Pieper Power
• Prent
• RH Batterman
• Rock County Public Health
• Scot Forge
• SSM Health
• Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
• The Morse Group
• UW-Whitewater at Rock County
• Welty Environmental Center
• YWCA of Rock County .

Employer feedback shared how meaningful these internships are in engaging with the local community and how hosting interns is a way to invest in the future workforce.

This year’s summer intern graduates are:

• Tyler Ashmore, Janesville Craig High School
• Wyatt Bennett, Beloit Turner High School
• Alec Betlach, Janesville Parker High School
• Austin Bier, Janesville Parker High School
• Brooklyn Boehlke, Janesville Craig High School
• Andrea Carreon, The Lincoln Academy
• William Erickson, Beloit Turner High School
• Patrick Francis, Rock University High School
• Kevin Garcia, The Lincoln Academy
• Irene Guetschow, Clinton Jr./Sr. High School
• Ellie Johnson, Milton High School
• Akelalyn Laursen, Beloit Turner High School
• Corbin LaVelle, Janesville Craig High School
• Mackenna Lillard, The Lincoln Academy
• Kasia London, Clinton Jr./Sr. High School
• Roberto Martinez Dominguez, Beloit Memorial High School
• Kaitalyn Perez, Clinton Jr./Sr. High School
• Keira Riley, Janesville Craig High School
• Gabrielle Rutledge, Janesville Craig High School
• Marek Schraedley, Janesville Craig High School
• Lilliana Schuh, Janesville Craig High School
• Anna Turner, Homeschool
• Owen Williams, Janesville Parker High School
• Jaxton Winiarski, Beloit Turner High School
• Ella Wood, Beloit Turner High School

The Summer 2026 cohort marks the seventh time this program has been offered in Rock County. To learn more about these workforce and talent development initiatives, please contact Blackhawk’s Workforce & Community Development at businessdevelopment@blackhawk.edu or 608-757-7623.