The Intern Challenge

The Intern Challenge is an opportunity for high school and college students ages 16 to 24 to work together in two teams completing projects and assignments throughout the Rockford Community. Teams will compete weekly to complete a project and will be evaluated by local officials from Rockford area businesses to declare the winner.  Businesses may sponsor a week and provide a project for the contestants to complete. Teams will work to fundraise, survey the community and participate in projects that affect change in Rockford.

Interviews, boardroom videos, and more can all be found on the YMCA's YouTube Channel.

Congratulations to Ashley Fiser, the winner of the first annual YMCA Intern Challenge!

First Place: ASHLEY FISER ($3,500 Scholarship)



Second Place: DOMINICK BENNETT  ($1,500 Scholarship)



Third Place: BEN BELFORD  ($1,000 Scholarship)




Week 1 Board Room Videos
Week 2 Board Room Videos

1. Advocates for Progress Presentation
2. Team Change Presentation
3. Advocates for Progress Commercial

Week 3 Board Room Videos
Week 4 Board Room Videos

1. Interview with Mike
2. Interview with Dominick

Week 5 Board Room Videos

1. Post-Boardroom Interview with Evan
2. Post-Boardroom Interview with Mike
3. Interview with Ben
4. Interview with Evan

Week 6 Board Room Videos

1. Interview with Ben
2. Interview with Mike
3. Interview with Naomi

Week 7 Board Room Videos 

1. Interview with Dominick
2. Interview with Dominick and Ashley

Week 8 (Finals) Board Room Videos

1. Pre-interview with Ashley
2. Pre-interview with Ben
3. Pre-interview with Dominick
4. Post-interview with Ashley
5. Post-interview with Ben
6. Post-interview with Dominick

Businesses can get involved by sponsoring a week of the Intern Challenge. View the flyer for more information or contact Mike Brown.

Get to know the contestants and read their bios!

Team Change Bios

Advocates for Progress Team Bios