Since 2014, Hatboro, Pennsylvania based Acme Corrugated Box has participated in the Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School Work-Study Program, one of the most meaningful partnerships in company history. Year after year, this program brings talented, motivated students through Acme’s doors and sends them back out into the world better prepared for the future.
Acme shone a spotlight on two students who worked there this year: Kahiyah (11th grade), and Terence (12th grade). Their energy, curiosity, and dedication have made a real impression on the Acme team, and we are proud to be part of their journey.
About The Program
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is “the school that works” literally. This college preparatory school with a unique operating model has its students spend one day a week in work-study roles at premier businesses and nonprofits across greater Philadelphia.
A Catholic school for students of all faiths, Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is the 25th of 41 Cristo Rey schools nationwide offering private school education to low-income families via tuition subsidized by wages earned in work-study.
The Philadelphia school currently has 520 students working at 140 different locations throughout the course of the week. A well-oiled logistics team coordinates 19 vans and buses to drop off and pick up the students from their once-per-week assignments.
According to Tom Shoemaker, President of Cristo Rey Philadelphia, 88 percent of this year’s graduating class are going to 4-year colleges or universities, 5 percent will attend community college, and 7 percent will go right into the workforce. Many graduating students plan to attend some of the top schools in the country, including Yale, Princeton, USC, Villanova, Tulane, and others.
Acme has been a Cristo Rey Job Partner since 2014, hiring students each academic year across departments including administration, IT, operations, and more. The relationship reflects a belief that Bob Cohen, President of Acme Corrugated Box and a former member of the Cristo Rey Philadelphia Board of Trustees, has held throughout his career:
“Academic excellence should be made available to all students, even those who, through no fault of their own, have been disadvantaged by circumstances. These students demonstrate the will and the staying power to realize a first-class education. Cristo Rey combines rigorous academic study with real life work experiences for their students. It is an honor to host these young people who are looking for the pathway to a productive life.”
Shoemaker adds: “Bob was one of our first board members. He really believed in our mission of providing opportunities for underserved communities. He also wanted them to walk away with discipline and fortitude and character.”
Meet Kahiyah, Grade 11
Kahiyah came to Acme as an 11th grader and quickly proved herself to be a dependable, organized, and hardworking member of the team. During her time with us, she tackled a variety of administrative and operational tasks, including preparing marketing tools for new customers and for sales reps to use in the field, preparing PPE for plant tours, CRM data entry, closing PO’s and recording PO numbers and shipping IDs for roll stock.
What stood out most? Getting recognized for work that actually made a difference.
“I really enjoyed my time here at Acme Corrugated Box. While here, I’ve learned valuable skills that will help me in the future. Everyone here makes me feel welcomed and part of the team, which makes my time here a great learning opportunity. My highlight of working here is being complimented for my work and how much it has helped the company. Overall, this experience helped me improve my organizational, responsibility, and teamwork skills while learning more about the workplace. I’m thankful for everything I learned during my time at Acme Corrugated Box.”
Meet Terence, Grade 12
Terence has been with Acme since his junior year, and as a senior, his growth over that time became clear. His passion for technology led him to Acme’s IT department, where he found hands-on experience that directly connects to his plans for college and beyond. During his time at Acme, he worked in Excel, rebooted and installed data on computers, and learned how to create assets in Lansweeper.
For Terence, this wasn’t just a high school requirement. It was a window into a future career.
“I have loved every second of my time at Acme Corrugated Box. Ever since I was assigned here as a junior, I have learned invaluable skills that I will take with me when pursuing my future education. Acme Corrugated Box has made me feel welcomed and a part of the team, and they have helped me develop my future interests in the Computer Science major through their very resourceful and informational IT department. The highlight of my work experience has been the hands-on work in Excel, rebooting and installing data in computers, and learning how to create assets in Lansweeper. I am very grateful that I have gotten to experience the professionalism of Acme.”
A Meaningful Partnership
Students love working at Acme, mostly because when they walk through the doors they don’t feel like “kids”, they feel like colleagues and are treated like young professionals that belong on the team.
Bob Cohen and Acme Corrugated Box’s Director of HR, Heidi Morrison, have developed the program over the years to ensure that students are learning real skills, building networks, and given the ability to explore different career paths. We have high expectations for our student interns and they like that.
“Kids have aspirations,” Shoemaker says. “They’re ambitious. They don’t lack for ambition. They don’t lack for intelligence. Sometimes they just lack for opportunity.”
Kahiyah and Terence represent exactly what this partnership is about. They showed up. They put in the work. They grew. And they leave Acme with more than a line on a resume – they leave with real skills, real confidence, and real relationships.
“Most high school kids don’t know what job they want to be in after they graduate,” Shoemaker shared. “For students who don’t have as much exposure to professional opportunities, our work-study program really helps them see what they can be.”
