For Maine-Endwell high school student Camara Hosier, the SPARTA Internship program became far more than a classroom experience - it became a pathway toward her future. The “Spartan Professionalism and Readiness Training Academy,” better known as SPARTA, allows students to spend time interning with various organizations in fields of their choice. Head of the program, Rachel Murat, connects students with community organizations, businesses, and volunteer groups who may fit their career interests.
Throughout the first half of the school year, Camara spent her days interning at several organizations across the Southern Tier, gaining hands-on experience in mental health services, addiction recovery, community outreach, and the criminal justice system. For this M-E senior, mental health isn’t just a potential career path – it’s a passion.
"Listening to people talk feels extremely natural to me. My friends often come to me about their issues, and for some reason, when they talk to me I feel extremely connected to them and it comes easy to me as I figure out what to say, said Hosier.
Throughout SPARTA, her primary placements were with the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST) and Helio Health, where she attended weekly internships from September through January. At MHAST, Camara gradually became comfortable interacting with clients, learning the organization’s systems, assisting with pre-registrations and mental health assessments, and helping organize important resources such as housing, food, and clothing for those in need.
One of her most memorable initiatives was starting a “Breakfast Club,” where she prepared breakfast for residents each morning. The experience created a welcoming space for conversation and connection. Camara called it an “amazing opportunity to sit and converse with clients.”
SPARTA also provided Camara with valuable insight into addiction recovery during her internship at Helio Health, where she observed both group and individual counseling sessions and learned about the recovery process and the support systems that help individuals rebuild their lives.
“Mental health work is a lot of learning how to understand the different ways it can impact people. Through my childhood and experience at Helio Health and MHAST I learned the mind of an addict, and it gave me a lot of direction in my own life. I learned both perspectives, and it truly changed my mind on the way I view substances and substance abusers,” said Hosier.
In addition to her primary placements, Camara expanded her experience through several one-day opportunities. She visited the Broome County Correctional Facility, where she observed a women’s discussion group focused on mental health and personal goals. She also spent time at Journey Through Psychological Services in Johnson City and volunteered with the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), helping collect food and donations for families in need – even wearing a turkey costume during Thanksgiving.
Through these experiences, Camara says she gained a deeper understanding of the challenges many individuals face and the role compassion plays in helping others.
In a recent presentation to district administrators, Camara says one of her biggest takeaways was that “mental health looks different for everyone,” and “living environment makes a huge impact on society.” Camara also says “there are many people who want to help but don’t always know where to look.”
This half-year experience proved so meaningful that Camara has been promised a job with the Mental Health Organization of the Southern Tier as soon as she turns 18 – opening the door to a field she hopes to make an impact in.
Looking back on the past several months, she says the Sparta Internship program has had a lasting impact on her future.
“Overall, my time in the Sparta Internship program was truly life changing. I learned so much throughout the journey that has helped me make so many decisions towards my future. It is an amazing program. This program truly made such an impact on my life currently, and beyond when I take my next steps after high school. I am endlessly grateful for everything Maine-Endwell has taught me and helped me accomplish during my senior year,” said Hosier.
For Camara Hosier, the Sparta Internship program did more than provide experience - it helped turn a passion for helping others into a clear path forward.