Office of the License Collector

A partnership was formed to provide a total educational experience built on lessons learned in the class room, at the work place and in the community.  An outstanding group of supporters worked together to provide St. Louis Public School students from Roosevelt High School and Better Family Life (Gateway High School) with an experience that would inspire their academic growth for a lifetime underwritten by MERS/Goodwill’s WIA Youth Program.  The partnership included Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools; Dr. Lou Chartock, President & CEO of MERS/Goodwill; Mr. Michael Holmes, Executive Director of St. Louis Area Agency on Training and Employment; Michael McMillan, License Collector of the City of St. Louis whose office hosted many of the interns during the summer; and President-Elect Joseph Anderson of the One Hundred Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis.  They all worked together to ensure that these students would have the best learning opportunities, exposure to diverse experiences; and mentoring to reinforce work ethics, positive attitudes, attire and values.

           A special luncheon to salute these aspiring interns and academic achievers was hosted by Ruth’s Chris at their Downtown location at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.  After learning about the successful program, Roger Hill, the General Manager at Ruth’s Chris, offered to provide an outstanding culinary experience and formal dining etiquette lessons.  Throughout the internship, the students were exposed to role models such as Amber Simpson of U.S. Bank and of the Montford Point Marines Corporal John Tilghman prior to his leaving to attend a recognition ceremony with President Barack Obama in the White House. 

           The program was so successful, Michael McMillan, as Chairman of the Board for the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation, raised the bar and provided a scholarship of $2,500 for the student who wrote the best Essay on what their internship meant to them.  The winner was Marcia Hester who also received a lap top computer from the One Hundred Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis. 

 

MERS/Goodwill made a $1,000 scholarship to Ray King, another intern, for his outstanding leadership performance. 

STLCEF presented each student with honors medallions, gift cards, gift bags and certificates of recognition from the Office of the License Collector.  

 

License Collector's Office

City of St. Louis