Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. has selected First Flight High School senior Ava Barkely to complete a year-long internship in funeral service. The intern reports directly to Courtney N. Gallop, the founder and owner of the funeral home and to partner and licensed funeral director, J. Ben Andrews.
The First Flight senior internship program requires 120 work hours and completion of a final report on the experience prior to graduation. Students are expected to immerse themselves in the work place, document their activities, build work skills, and expand their understanding of a particular career interest.
Ava is 17 years old and the daughter of Krista and Trent Barkely of Kitty Hawk. She is an aspiring college student considering higher education in medicine or the allied health sciences. In addition to her course load and internship responsibilities, Ava works part time in retail and is active in church.
According to Gallop, successful candidates for the unique internship must have a high level of self-motivation and commitment. They also must be well-groomed, coachable, and inquisitive as well as poised and serious.
“While Ava will learn that aspects of the funeral service profession can be mundane and arduous, she will also get a close-up perspective of the skill, creativity, and rewards of a funeral service career,” said Gallop.