Four high school students from across Baldwin County are getting a firsthand look at local government operations through the city of Foley's new internship program.

The inaugural group of interns was recognized Monday, June 2, at the Foley City Council meeting. Foley Human Resources Director Suzanne Kellams said the students were selected from a pool of about 30 applicants through a competitive process.

"They did have to go through an application process," Kellams said. "They had to provide a resume, and they went through interview coaching with their career coaches at their schools."

The interns include Aidan Bowers from Foley High School, who is working with the Sports Tourism Department; Vicky Gonzalez from Baldwin Preparatory Academy, assigned to the Foley Public Library; Joanna Jardon from St. Michael Catholic High School, serving as a general government intern; and Colton Rice from Baldwin Preparatory Academy, working with the Street Department.

Kellams noted that the city partnered with the Baldwin County Utilities Intern Program to help select the students for Foley's first internship program of this kind.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich praised the program as a learning experience that benefits both the students and the city.

"It's really a great experience. It's a learning experience for you guys," he told the students. "You learn how to interact with businesses, it's a learning experience for us. We get exposed to new folks that might come to work with us if they want to in the future. We wish you encouragement, and I hope it works out well with your departments. I hope you enjoy your summer jobs."