MONTCLAIR, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2026) – For 581 Montclair High School seniors, the next chapter of their lives came into sharper focus Thursday as they participated in the school’s fifth annual Ready to Launch event, an innovative career-readiness initiative connecting students with local employers and organizations.
Approximately 60 employers and organizations participated in the event, providing students with real-world job interview experience while introducing them to potential paid internships and employment opportunities.
The event, organized by Montclair High School’s Senior English Team, is designed to help students build confidence, strengthen communication skills and better understand what employers are looking for as they prepare to enter the workforce or pursue further education.
“Preparing students for life beyond high school is one of our most important responsibilities,” said Dr. Mathew Holton, Superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. “Ready to Launch is a tremendous example of how our schools are connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences. These students are gaining skills that will serve them throughout their lives, while also making connections that could lead directly to meaningful employment and career opportunities.”
Among the participating interviewers was Claudia Gomez, a 2012 Montclair High School graduate who has spent the past decade working professionally in recruitment. Representing talent acquisition company PeopleScout, Gomez has participated in Ready to Launch since its inception and sees the event as an opportunity to give back to the school that helped prepare her for her own career.
“I love coming here every year to help prepare students for the next step in their lives,” Gomez said. “I think it’s really cool to hear what they expect when they get out of school and to help them understand what opportunities are out there.”
For Gomez, the experience is especially personal.
“I came from a first-generation family and didn’t have anyone to guide me along the way,” she said. “When we were in high school, we were all in our own little world. We really didn’t know what to expect. Montclair’s teachers have always done a great job of making sure students don’t leave high school unprepared.”
Her advice to today’s seniors is simple: “Be open to any opportunity that comes your way.”
For students, Ready to Launch provides an opportunity to practice skills that can be difficult to develop in a traditional classroom setting.
“I want to improve my interview skills,” said senior Jose Flores. “It will help me in my future.”
Fellow senior Kevin Navarro shared a similar goal.
“I’m hoping to get better at communication skills and talking in front of someone else,” Navarro said.
During the event, held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., students participated in interviews with representatives from a variety of businesses and organizations. In addition to offering feedback and career guidance, participating employers had the opportunity to identify potential candidates for paid employment and internships.
Montclair High School Principal Dr. Lino Gomez said the event reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring that every student graduates with the confidence and practical skills needed to succeed.
“One of the things that makes Ready to Launch so special is that it gives our students a chance to experience something many young people find intimidating—their first professional job interview—in a supportive environment,” Gomez said. “They’re learning how to present themselves, communicate their strengths and engage with professionals. And for some, those conversations could open doors to their very first jobs. We’re incredibly grateful to the employers and community partners who invest their time in our students.”
Now in its fifth year, Ready to Launch has become a signature example of Montclair High School’s commitment to college and career readiness, bringing education and industry together to help students make a successful transition from high school to the next phase of their lives.
“Ultimately, this is about opportunity,” Holton said. “Whether a student leaves today with a job prospect, a better understanding of the interview process or simply greater confidence in themselves, that’s a success worth celebrating.”
