--- title: Talents & Triumphs | Success Stories from IgnitingTalent description: Learn more about the journeys and inspiring success stories from students, businesses, and educators who’ve partnered with IgnitingTalent. image: https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/BELC.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://ignitingtalent.org/talents-triumphs#main-content) [![IgnitingTalent Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/igniting-talent-logo-1.png?quality=high&width=219&height=100&name=igniting-talent-logo-1.png)](https://ignitingtalent.org/?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://ignitingtalent.org/about-us) Show submenu for About Us - [Talents and Triumphs](https://ignitingtalent.org/talents-triumphs) - [In the News and Community](https://ignitingtalent.org/in-the-news-and-community) - [Students](https://ignitingtalent.org/students) - [Career Launchers](https://ignitingtalent.org/career-launchers) - [Educators](https://ignitingtalent.org/educators) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About Us](https://ignitingtalent.org/about-us) Show submenu for About Us - [Talents and Triumphs](https://ignitingtalent.org/talents-triumphs) - [In the News and Community](https://ignitingtalent.org/in-the-news-and-community) - [Students](https://ignitingtalent.org/students) - [Career Launchers](https://ignitingtalent.org/career-launchers) - [Educators](https://ignitingtalent.org/educators) - [Contact Us](https://ignitingtalent.org/contact) [Contact Us](https://ignitingtalent.org/contact?hsLang=en) # Talents and Triumphs Real Stories of Success and Transformation Through IgnitingTalent ## Igniting Change, Changing Futures ### We unlock potential, one story at a time. At IgnitingTalent, our mission is brought to life through the experiences of our students, Career Launchers, and Educators. Each success story is a testament to the power of real-world experience and mentorship. These testimonials reflect the impact our program has had on individuals and organizations alike, showcasing how: - We help students discover their passions - Career Launchers mentor future talent - Educators guide their students toward successful careers. Explore these stories to see the difference IgnitingTalent can make. ![A student setting up a boom arm on a video shoot.](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Tyler%20on%20video%20shoot%203%20(1).jpg?width=2000&height=1333&name=Tyler%20on%20video%20shoot%203%20(1).jpg "A student setting up a boom arm on a video shoot.") # Experience the Journey Witness the transformative power of real-world experience as students, Career Launchers, and Educators share their incredible Igniting Talent stories. ![](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/yxku3iatwl/swatch) > “IgnitingTalent is unlike other internship programs because our Career Launchers (host businesses) provide hands-on experience to give interns an in-depth understanding of the profession.”  > >   ![Mary Schneider_new profile pic-Photoroom_090124](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Mary%20Schneider_new%20profile%20pic-Photoroom_090124.png?width=100&height=121&name=Mary%20Schneider_new%20profile%20pic-Photoroom_090124.png) Mary Schneider, Program Manager, IgnitingTalent   ## Our Partners ![Advanced Investigations](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Advanced%20Investigations.png) ![Guilford Texaco North](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Guilford%20Texaco%20North.png) ![Daniel Hand High School Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Daniel%20Hand%20High%20School%20Logo.png) ![Baybrook Remodelers, Inc.](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Baybrook%20Remodelers%2c%20Inc..jpg) ![BELC Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/BELC%20Logo.jpg) ![West Haven Blue Devils Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/West%20Haven%20Blue%20Devils%20Logo.jpg) ![West Shore Fire District Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/West%20Shore%20Fire%20District%20Logo.png) ![Shoreline Wellness Center Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Shoreline%20Wellness%20Center%20Logo.png) ![NBHS Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/NBHS%20Logo.jpg) ![Guilford Animal Medical Center](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Guilford%20Animal%20Medical%20Center.png) ![Forte The Brand Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Forte%20The%20Brand%20Logo.png) ![Wilbur Cross Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Cross%20Logo.png) ![The Curly Hair Salon Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/The%20Curly%20Hair%20Salon%20Logo.png) ![Baybrook Grooming, Ruff Cuts Dog Grooming](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-09-13%20at%2011.53.50%20AM.png) ![East Haven High School Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hubfs/images.png) ## See What Students Are Saying > "My favorite part of participating in the IgnitingTalent program was being able to get real experience in some career fields I was interested in and just getting a general idea of what I would be getting into. " > > > > ![Sam Daricek Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Sam%20Headshot%20No%20BG.png?width=133&height=120&name=Sam%20Headshot%20No%20BG.png) > > Sam Daricek – Coginchaug High School Senior > "IgnitingTalent matched me to internships in film production. The experience really set me forward, it helped me out so much. It made me ecstatic more so than I was beforehand. I would 100% recommend it to other students."  > > > > ![Tyler Soules Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Tyler%20Soules%20Headshot%20no%20BG.png?width=117&height=105&name=Tyler%20Soules%20Headshot%20no%20BG.png) > > Tyler Soules – West Haven High School Senior > "The best parts of the Igniting Talent internships were how I was still learning so much but was able to laugh and have fun doing it all." > > > > ![Nico Ripani Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Nico%20Headshot.png?width=105&height=116&name=Nico%20Headshot.png) > > Nico Ripani – East Haven High School Senior ## See What Career Launchers Are Saying > "Our path in life is shaped by those we come in contact with. Looking back, I have come to understand and appreciate the power that family, colleagues and teachers have had on shaping who I am. It is my hope to pay this wonderful gift forward to our younger generations finding their path through life. Even if it's in a small, brief moment." > > > > ![Charles "Duck" Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Duck-600px-8716_inPixio.png?width=95&height=119&name=Duck-600px-8716_inPixio.png) > > Charles "Duck" Unitas, CPP, Unitas Photography > “Our IgnitingTalent Intern was great. Her outputs were valuable, conducting competitive analysis on other fashion brands and creating blogs to be used for our website and social media. While a virtual internship isn’t always easy, she was effective and a team player. We’re appreciative to her for her contributions and look forward to keeping in touch.” > > > > ![Felicia Quido Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Felicia%20Quido%20headshot%20no%20background.png?width=88&height=110&name=Felicia%20Quido%20headshot%20no%20background.png) > > Felicia Quido, Forte the Brand > “Being a Career Launcher has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Working with these high school students as they take their first steps toward building their career paths was inspiring. Their work ethic, dedication, and enthusiasm for their internships truly blew me away. This program is a testament to the bright futures these students have ahead of them.” > > > > ![Kim Kenny headshot_inPixio](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Kim%20Kenny%20headshot_inPixio.png?width=88&height=130&name=Kim%20Kenny%20headshot_inPixio.png) > > Kim Kenny, Outreach and Grants Coordinator, Shoreline Wellness Center ## See What Educators Are Saying > "IgnitingTalent provides our students with a great opportunity to experience things they are interested in and then made an educated decision on what they want to do after high school.” > > > > ![Jen Tzetzo Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Jen%20Tzetzo.png?width=108&height=115&name=Jen%20Tzetzo.png) > > Jen Tzetzo, Capstone Coordinator & World Language Department Leader > “Our student is grateful for the opportunities you gave her. I’m sure we will have other students to connect you with. You guys are amazing and do wonderful things for these kids!" > > > > ![Daniel Hand Highschool Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Daniel%20Hand%20High%20School%20Logo.png?width=110&height=110&name=Daniel%20Hand%20High%20School%20Logo.png) > > Christine Coyle, Daniel Hand High School > "The team at Igniting Talent are absolute rockstars.  Their dedication to providing students with career base learning and opportunities is evident throughout every facet of the program." > > > > ![Matt Thompson Headshot](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Matt%20Thompson%20Headshot.png?width=109&height=110&name=Matt%20Thompson%20Headshot.png) > > Matt Thompson, Career Counselor & Capstone Coordinator ## Facts and Figures ### 96% Completion Rate   ### 23 Career Fields Explored   ### 28 Career Launchers   ### 50% 2024 Grads Awarded $1000 Scholarship ## Snapshots of Success Explore moments of growth and achievement. [See IgnitingTalent In Action](https://ignitingtalent.org/in-the-news-and-community?hsLang=en) ![A male student holding up his graduation cap and diploma.](https://45607073.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/45607073/hubfs/Dante%20-%20Grad%20Cap.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Dante%20-%20Grad%20Cap.png) ![A graduating female student with a cap and gown on.](https://45607073.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/45607073/hubfs/Raquel%20-%20Grad%20Cap.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Raquel%20-%20Grad%20Cap.png) ![Photo of Adonyahe Harrison at Graduation (CROPPED)](https://45607073.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/45607073/hubfs/Photo%20of%20Adonyahe%20Harrison%20at%20Graduation%20(CROPPED).png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Photo%20of%20Adonyahe%20Harrison%20at%20Graduation%20(CROPPED).png) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignitingtalent-a-program-of-the-joeabate-foundation-org/) - [About Us](https://ignitingtalent.org/about-us) - [Students](https://ignitingtalent.org/students) - [Career Launchers](https://ignitingtalent.org/career-launchers) - [Educators](https://ignitingtalent.org/educators) --- [![Igniting Talent Logo](https://ignitingtalent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/igniting-talent-logo-1.png?width=219&height=100&name=igniting-talent-logo-1.png "Igniting Talent Logo")](https://ignitingtalent.org/?hsLang=en) 106 Doral Farms Road, North Branford, CT 06471 Copyright © 2024, IgnitingTalent