Whether finding a new calling or learning enough to pivot, Whitefish students are reaping the benefits of Whitefish High School’s newly established work-based learning program.  

Now in its second year, the program continues to blossom thanks to numerous businesses taking on a mentorship role.  

In fall 2025, a total of 25 students completed internships. 

“We’re so grateful for our community members who have opened their doors and shared their time,” said teacher Kari Baxter.  

Accountability and partnerships were learning priorities for the program, she said.  

“Giving them opportunities to explore career pathways ... and connect the dots, and try out careers firsthand, is what we’re trying to achieve,” she said. 

Music production, construction management, physical therapy, food catering, car mechanics, T-shirt production, cardiac rehabilitation, the school’s microgreens business, pediatrics and NICU physical therapy, optometry, ski resort operations and veterinary medicine are a few of the interests that students explored.  

“My favorite part was building relationships with patients,” said Ava Beck, who did a cardiac rehabilitation internship at Logan Health. “I learned how to check blood pressure and oxygen levels, cholesterol tests and the pathways of blood. I also got to watch quite a few echoes, and one ultrasound ... and a heart cath, that was really cool. It’s a tiny tube that feeds all the way into the heart.”  

“My whole life I’ve known I wanted to go into medicine, but this further encouraged it.”  

Micheal Powell interned at Kalispell Ford.  

“I wanted to learn how to diagnose simple issues and gain knowledge on routine maintenance,” he said. “I ended up taking apart a truck to get to the engine. I had to take the radiator and front bumper off. 

“I want to keep it as a hobby and see where I go in finance.”  

Max Polumbus said that some of the highlights at Whitefish Mountain Resort were meeting operations team members, working on a car in the shop, seeing the mechanics of a chairlift, and building jumps in the terrain park.  

“Nobody really sees the work going into it,” Polumbus said.  

Joseph Coulter interned at Physical Therapy Associates. He was interested in studying knees and learning how to help patients. 

“My two top things were seeing the pure excitement from one of the patients. He was so happy to walk. After the entire appointment, he was in tears,” Colter said. “And I also got to help them move out of The Wave to their new location.”  

Reed Boyer played some beats he made with his mentor, musician Ethan Thompson. 

“I wanted to play some core mixing concepts, get my sound really crisp and clean, and have something that I could put out and be proud of,” he said. 

Kudos go to the following businesses for participating in the program since its inception in spring 2025: 

4th N’ Pine, Alpine Animal Hospital, Corwin Auto Group, Don K - Whitefish, Ethan Thompson Music, Jersey Boys Pizza, Kalispell Ford, Logan Health NICU, Logan Health Cardiac Rehab, Malmquist Construction, OrthoRehab, Physical Therapy Associates, Pin and Cue, Rustic Moose, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Whitefish Animal Hospital, Whitefish Barbershop, Whitefish Eye Center, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier Jet Center, Accutech, Media Training Center, Flathead Sheriff Office, Tate Interiors, Glacier Park Conservancy, National Park Realty, and Pure West Realty.