Four high school seniors will spend their summer serving the Foley public through the Baldwin County Utilities Internship Program after being selected for competitive city and countywide placements.

The students were welcomed into city positions during a ceremony at Baldwin County Preparatory Academy. They were chosen from a pool of 140 applicants, with 44 interns selected for countywide placements.

Beginning June 1, the rising seniors will work alongside experienced city professionals while gaining technical skills, workplace knowledge and exposure to essential municipal operations that support the Foley community each day.

This marks the second year Foley has participated in the award-winning program, which is designed to connect students with hands-on public service experience.

“We’re proud to welcome these four exceptional students to the city of Foley,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “This internship isn’t just about gaining experience — it’s about building a pathway for our young people to step into meaningful careers. When we invest in our students, we invest in Foley’s future, and I’m excited to see the impact they will make in the years ahead.”

The 2026 city of Foley interns include Zoya Krasilnikov of Baldwin Preparatory Academy, who will serve as an administrative assistant in Planning and Development; Karlie Jones of Foley High School, who will serve as an administrative assistant in General Government; Jax Freeman of Foley High School, who will work as a street maintenance worker in Public Works; and Riley Johnson of Foley High School, who will assist with building inspections in Planning and Development.

The Baldwin County Utilities Internship Program connects students with future workforce opportunities and has been recognized as a Top 18 Work-Based Learning Best Practice in Alabama. It provides hands-on exposure to high-demand careers in municipal operations and utilities.

Each intern was selected through a competitive process in which students worked with school career coaches to build resumes and prepare for interviews.

The program is a collaborative effort among school systems and workforce partners aimed at strengthening career readiness and developing a pipeline of future talent for critical infrastructure and public service roles.