August 1, 2025
Gillian D. graduated from Bryan High School in May. A skilled artist, she had applied for a summer internship with The Spangler Candy Company and was not selected and told she was too young. Spangler, a global candy brand that manufactures Dum-Dums, Necco Wafers and other brands, has a large art department to support their marketing team and produce packaging and wrappers for candy varieties. She was upset to be ruled out of the program because of her age but made a plan to apply in 2026.
She interviewed for and was selected as the Work Based Learning marketing intern for the Williams County Economic Development Council. In that role, she managed the economic development agency’s social media, re-designed their website, did the layout for the newsletter and designed advertising billboards.
The HR Director from Spangler Candy Company serves as a member of the WEDCO board and commented about the quality of Gillian’s work, not realizing that she was a recent high school graduate. Before leaving for her freshman year at the Chicago Institute School of Art, she was asked to interview for and was awarded a Spangler co-op position. This will lead to a full time role with the company after her college graduation and will provide her with summer employment during her four years of school.
She was also offered a part-time remote position with WEDCO, managing their social media while attending school in Chicago.
