Students in the Sales and Marketing Career Pathway class at St. Laurence High School are gaining real-world experience by selling their own “Scents of Valhalla” candles, with proceeds reinvested into the program.
“We have 11 different pathways available at the moment,” said Anne McGillycuddy, internship coordinator at the coed high school at 5556 W. 77th St. in Burbank.
Founded in 2016 by Director of Strategic Development Pete Lotus, the Career Pathway program now includes about 350 students. The first cohort consisted of eight students in the Aquatic Science pathway, which remains one of the most popular choices. Another top pathway, Aviation, is the only program that begins freshman year.
St. Laurence partners with the Shedd Aquarium for the Aquatic Science program, allowing senior interns to gain hands-on experience once a week at the Chicago lakefront facility. Other pathways include computer science (coding), digital advertising, education, law enforcement, and medical exploration.
Since becoming coed in 2017 after the closure of Queen of Peace High School, enrollment at St. Laurence has grown to 1,100 students.
“Many eighth graders decide to come here because of the Career Pathways, many of which are exclusive to us,” McGillycuddy said.
The school partners with Lewis University, Loyola Hospital, and the Bedford Park Police Department to provide students with hands-on experience outside the classroom. Students in dual-credit courses also earn college credits from Lewis University while still in high school.
Bedford Park police officers mentor students interested in law enforcement careers, and female officers will visit in the coming weeks to speak to girls considering the field.
Seniors in the Education Pathway work weekly in classrooms at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Evergreen Park and Blair Early Childhood Center in Chicago’s Clearing neighborhood. The Medical Explorers program allows students to shadow professionals at Loyola Hospital one day a week.
“Students may want to go into the medical field but are unsure of which area to focus on. This way, they get to rotate between different areas of the hospital,” McGillycuddy said.
Success stories include John Baumgartner, who spent four years in the Aviation pathway and earned his pilot’s license before graduating in 2024. He trained at the Lewis University airfield, progressing from gliders to drones to airplanes. Likewise, 2022 graduate Anna Janczy is heading to medical school after getting her start with Medical Explorers.
Students in the Sales and Marketing and Digital Advertising pathways are gaining practical business skills by selling candles and diffusers.
“They were tasked with coming up with a product that we could sell, with the money going back into the Career Pathways Program,” McGillycuddy said.
Last semester, students sold fudge; this time, they are marketing “Scents of Valhalla” candles, featuring names like “Whispers of Glory” and scents inspired by Igor and Astrid, the school’s male and female mascots.
“Their working group reached out to vendors and determined where they should be produced, and by whom,” McGillycuddy said. “We found the perfect business here that was happy to partner with us.”
Students pitched the idea to Principal Kristy Kane and other administrators.
“They were very professional and had answers to all our questions. I just think it is a unique opportunity that really prepares our students for college or a career earlier than usual. It is something that sets us apart. The students are at the center of it,” Kane said.
The Viking Ventures Group, a board of successful alumni, also mentors students by sharing business knowledge and providing real-world experience.
Alumnus Sean Sweeney, owner of digital advertising firm First Position Digital, has worked with St. Laurence’s creative director, Sal Marquez, to help students produce a promotional video for the candle sales.
“From day one, he has come in and mentored our students. He has sponsored the digital advertising campaigns,” McGillycuddy said, adding that Sweeney has offered to cover certification costs for students interested in earning Google and Meta credentials—and even hire them after graduation.
Last week, sophomores Ethan Tock and Fiona Giblin stayed after school to appear in the video, as teacher Michael Podrazik looked on with pride.
“Most of it is project-based learning, looking at how human resources and other departments would approach a problem,” Podrazik said.
A former business professional with 25 years of experience, Podrazik wants his students—80% of whom plan to major in business—to be job-ready, even if they opt not to pursue a college degree.
“The classes are really productive. Mr. Podrazik is great, and we get a lot done,” said Giblin, of Lemont, after stepping away from the camera.
“The fact that the classes give us real-world experiences as well is so cool,” said Isabel Ducar, of Mt. Greenwood, who enjoyed working on marketing workshops with a parent-mentor, Kim Rosenlund.
The candles are available for purchase at https://www.mccandleco.com/slhs.