Dream UP! — The Office Depot Foundation

The Dream UP Career Exploration Program integrates career awareness and exploration into students’ middle school experience to help them start thinking about the future – and encourage them to stay in school as they get older. Students at participating schools explored, considered and selected a potential career path by reading, researching and analyzing real-world information found through daily review of USA TODAY, the nation’s top-selling print newspaper.

Students studied profiles of success and gained further insights on the latest in technology, business and industry trends. Students learned to identify and utilize 21st century workforce skills; created their own career portfolio of their interests and career goals; gained knowledge of the types of education, experience, strengths and skills they need in order to achieve their career goals; write a 500-word essay about their "Dream Job;" and have the opportunity to win a day to experience it.

Teachers in each school selected three top essays for submission to a national contest, where a judging panel selected five winners from across the country who will get to spend a day in their "Dream Job."

Congratulations to the following students winners and their National Board Certified Teachers

 Student:  Vivek Miglani, Coral Springs Middle, Coral Springs, Florida – Financial Analyst

Teacher:  Suzanne Fronrath

Student:  Daniel Salgueiro, Glades Middle, Miami, Florida – Chef

Teacher:  Gina Koch

Student:  Yasmin Hill, St. Pauls Middle, St. Pauls, North Carolina – Veterinarian

Teacher:  Moszellia F. White

Student:  Joshua Davis, Orville Wright Middle School, Los Angeles, CA – Coast Guard

Teacher:  Connie Reed

Student:  Khidajah Hailey, Jacksonville Commons Middle, Jacksonville, NC – Singer

Teacher:  Ginger Melton