Something new to spring semester at the MMCRU High School is CAPS. CAPS stands for the Center for Advanced Professional Studies. Within CAPS, students immerse themselves in a professional learning environment outside of the traditional classroom to add value to our community, discover their passions, and build their professional future. Our CAPS associates worked with Grant Leavitt at Marcus Lumber Company. They worked on developing a plan to get more customers to receive their invoices and billing statements via email (rather than mail). They did a cost analysis of what the total cost is and what it could be sent through the mail. They presented their project boards earlier this month at the Siouxland Caps Innovation Showcase in Sheldon and this past week held a local MMCRU Innovation Showcase in our high school commons. The event was open to the public and the evening included Grant Leavitt as guest speaker, plus testimonials from the CAPS students. These are listed below.
I have enjoyed my CAPS experience a lot. CAPS has taught me a lot of things to get me ready for the professional world out of college. CAPS has better prepared me for my work life learning how to be more professional and how to talk to other people in a professional aspect. I have learned a lot about myself during CAPS as well. With the personality tests and other leadership programs, I have learned how to better work with others as well as the type of people that I work best with. The organization and time management challenged me the most like the notetaking and research that you have to do before something. I am not a big notetaker, but it has definitely helped me in CAPS. I will now take all of this into college with me and then eventually when I get into my professional job. →Senior Kyler Bork
Going into the spring semester I had no idea what CAPS was or what it stood for. My instructor pulled me aside and insisted I try it out. I took the chance and I am so glad I did. It is an eye-opening experience to what the business side of careers looks like. CAPS has taught professionalism and business aspects. I have connected and talked with local businesses and got to give back to a local company. I will use this experience in my potential career outside of high school and college. I recommend this class to the younger classmen who are interested in being a part of this amazing program. →Senior Mykin Youde
My experience with CAPS has been amazing! I came in the semester not really knowing what the semester will hold. There are many things that we do as associates in CAPS. We have gone out and talked and connected with many businesses. We have a project with a local business that we are working on to help and benefit them. CAPS has been very eye opening in the business and professional realm of life. It has truly opened my eyes to what it could be like life after high school and in my future jobs. I would definitely recommend it to the future seniors, as it has truly been an amazing experience! → Senior Alyson Ball