Winners Chosen in ‘Win-a-Job’ Contest

Julie Semper has always enjoyed writing poetry and working with people. So, the Morse High School student thought it only natural to write a poem on her dream job of becoming a pediatrician or biomedical engineer.

Semper’s effort paid off when her entry was chosen the poetry winner in the San Diego County “Win-a-Job” contest for youths. Entrants had to describe what a job meant to them and their hopes for the future in a poem, drawing or essay.

Wendy Hoagland, 17, a recent graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, won in the essay contest and Duy Q. Nguyen, 16, a student at Madison High School, won in the art contest.

The first-place winners, and possibly the second- and third-place finishers at a later date, will work in their respective “dream jobs” as a result of their entries. The contest attracted more than 200 entrants in the three categories.

The winning trio received an Olympic-style medallion and a Nintendo video game set at an awards ceremony Wednesday at the Convention and Performing Arts Center downtown. County Supervisor John McDonald and City Councilman Wes Pratt distributed the awards.

“At least my summer won’t be boring; I can’t wait to start,” Semper, 16, said.

A volunteer at Paradise Valley Hospital, Semper will be promoted to a paid position at the hospital and attend a six-week science camp at UCSD Medical School. She will receive a stipend while at the camp.

Hoagland, who wants to be a writer, will work at a public relations firm and also have two-week internships at KGTV-Channel 10 and The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint newspaper.

Nguyen, who wants to be a computer engineer, will work for IBM in San Diego. Details concerning job specifics are to be worked out between the youths and their employers.

The contest, sponsored by the Private Industry Council/Regional Employment & Training Consortium and the Employment Development Department, is part of the countywide Hire-A-Youth program.