Bank of America announces 2023 Knoxville student leaders
Published June 24, 2023; 10:39 p.m.

Paid summer internships connects Knoxville teens to
career building opportunities

Victoria Gonzalez (left) is a graduate of Berean Christian School and is a rising freshman at Belmont University where she will study Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Originally from Venezuela, she is passionate about using her bilingual skills to support the Knoxville Latino community through volunteering as an interpreter with Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. Odreille Uwimana (right) is a graduate of Fulton High School and a rising freshman at Berea College where she will study Business and Law. Odreille volunteers regularly with Western Heights Baptist Center, Lonsdale Community Kickback, and the with Emerald Youth Program by serving as a program ambassador for Fulton High School.

KNOXVILLE – Bank of America announced two Knoxville-area high school students were selected for the Student Leaders® program (#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week paid summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities.

These students have started their paid internship experience of workforce skills, leadership, and civic engagement with local nonprofits The Restoration House of East Tennessee and Muse Knoxville. As part of the program, they will earn $17 per hour.

In Tennessee, youth unemployment in the East Region was nearly four times the state rate. With changing economic environments and a shifting job market, young people need access to workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities. The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults to be successful in today’s workforce.

“By providing the pathways and resources for young adults to gain the foundational work skills and leadership experience they need to succeed, we are investing in Knoxville’s long-term economic growth,” said Terry Cline, president, Bank of America Knoxville. “The young people selected for this paid summer internship program are truly extraordinary but may not have had access to opportunities like this until now. The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we connect people to meaningful employment resources that also builds a stronger pipeline of diverse talent for our local workforce.”

This year’s Knoxville Bank of America Student Leaders are:

● Victoria Gonzalez, Graduate of Berean Christian School
● Odreille Uwimana, Graduate of Fulton High School

These students were selected for their leadership, background, passion, and commitment to their communities.

Started in 2004, the Bank of America Student Leaders program annually recognizes just over 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the country. Later this summer these young people will convene in Washington, D.C., for a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy.

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services.