Earlier this year, CAST Schools was named a winner of Round Three of the Catalyze Challenge. The grant from the Catalyze Challenge focuses on increasing learner agency and employer-learner engagement and are expected to positively impact more than 25,000 learners ages 11 to 22 through career-connected learning. As proud recipients of the Catalyze Challenge, CAST has reinvested these funds into opportunities for its students – specifically, with its new full-time apprenticeship positions. Meet Daniel and Brooke:

Brooke Zepeda is the CAST Network’s Project Management Apprentice. She has had a passion for project management since high school when she interned for Cast Tech. She aided them in event planning, tours, and budgeting. In addition, she prepared underclassmen to take over her duties when she graduated. She is dedicated to expanding CAST’s impact on younger generations. Brooke hopes to obtain as much information and understanding of her role as well as CAST Network’s role. She is eager to get started in her new position with the CAST Network team and is excited to learn more about the field of project management. She is very grateful for the opportunity to join the CAST team.

Cast’s second apprentice is Daniel Ruiz. Daniel is the Data Science Apprentice. He discovered his passion for data science when he took an exam that paired him with the field and conducted his research and reviews about data analysis. He is excited to begin his role and gain valuable experience as well as earn multiple certifications to expand his knowledge in his field. Daniel is tremendously grateful for the opportunity to join the CAST Network Team and looks forward to getting started.

Once again, CAST is incredibly thankful for the support of the Catalyze Challenge to help reinvent schooling by maximizing opportunities for students.

About Catalyze

Since 2021, Catalyze has awarded more than $14 million to over 60 organizations through national and regional challenges, with a positive impact on more than 65,000 learners. The Catalyze community works across the United States to plan, pilot and implement solutions that provide students with career-connected learning opportunities.

About CAST Schools

The Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST Schools) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in San Antonio, TX with a network of 5 tuition-free, industry-led, career-themed high schools, one middle school, and one pre-k through 12th Academy.