Learning about hospitality

Posted on 2.27.25

Fifteen West Mecklenburg High School students were able to experience firsthand what it takes to thrive in the world of hospitality through a comprehensive internship program at some of the region’s premier hotels – The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, The Westin Charlotte and Charlotte Marriott City Center.

Over the course of 16 weeks and 120 hours, students were immersed in a diverse range of departments across Marriott’s portfolio, including Sales and Marketing, Guest Relations, Rooms Operations, Human Resources, Engineering, Culinary, and Food and Beverage. They gained practical, real-world skills, built professional connections and had an inside look into the exciting world of hotel management. The interns and their assigned hotels were:

• The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte | Marissa Anderson, Jada Cloud, Kiah Cohen, Josiah Davis, Ndeye Diouf, Helen Ginez-Hernandez, Malori Maxwell, Gracia Mulongo, Angela Sanchez, Madison Sherman

• The Marriott SouthPark | Shamaria Meadows, Trinity Walton

• The Westin Charlotte | Desteni Smith, Gabriella Skinner

• Charlotte Marriott City Center | Mary Barnes

Gracia Mulongo worked in the culinary area at The Ritz-Carlton. She said it was intimidating at first, but the staff was welcoming and willing to teach her about cooking, which she never thought she could do.

“My experience at the Ritz-Carlton was truly amazing. From the moment I stepped into the kitchen, I could see the level of dedication and skill that went into preparing each dish,” Gracia said. “I learned how much detail goes into cooking at a high level … It's about precision, creativity and teamwork. It was inspiring to watch them work, and I felt lucky to be part of it, even for a short time.”