Summer interns from the Warren County Enrichment program shared their experiences Friday during the annual program’s first graduation ceremony.

The board of supervisors allocated $40,000 for 24 full-time and three part-time interns who could get hands-on experience, said District 3 Supervisor and program founder Charles Selmon said

“The whole gist of the program is to give young people exposure to county government and how government works,” Selmon said. “We expected them to adapt to whatever the situation was as young adults rather than teenagers,” he said.

Warren Central student Tae Hubbard is taking what she learned in the program back to school with her. Hubbard said her eyes were opened to the consequences of making bad decisions while working in the office of Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick.

She plans to start a program at school to help remind students they are responsible for their actions and choices.

“We’re going to tell people how that kind of stuff can really impact your life,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard’s effort to re-invest in the community is what Selmon encouraged all graduates of the program to do

“We have made an investment in your life. Hopefully you realize the investment we made was for you to come back and make an investment in other people,” he told graduates.

Tax assessor Angela Brown, who is on the program’s commitee had three interns work in her office.

“This program truly has been a blessing to our youth to allow them to work with county government,” Brown said.

Gabriante Riley and Chris Miller both worked for Brown and said they learned a lot about the complex world of taxes and appraisals.

“I didn’t know they were out there doing stuff like that,” Miller said of learning about property appraisals.

Riley also said the experience was eye opening and enlightened her to the functions of county government.

“I honestly didn’t know anything about the tax process before that,” she said.

In addition to working for the county, several worked for Ameristar Casino and hotel, said committee member Cheryl Roland.

“I’m proud because I watched boy and girls become men and women through this program,” Roland said.