Summer real estate program

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:01 AM EDT

Five promising high school students from south Queens have been chosen to participate this summer in SL Green Realty Corp.'s “Queens Community Enrichment Program for Young Achievers."

SL Green, New York City's largest commercial real estate landlord and a leading candidate to redevelop one of Queens's most famous venues, the Aqueduct Racetrack, announced both the new Queens-centered program and the selection of the first five student participant: Scott Davis of South Ozone Park, a freshman at Bayside High School; Jackie Ford of South Ozone Park, a freshman at Excelsior Prep.; Samantha Granickas of Howard Beach, a junior at The Mary Louis Academy; Josh Kaye of South Ozone Park, a junior at Saint Francis Prep.; Essence Thomas of South Ozone Park, a junior at Queens Academy High School.

These students were selected with the assistance of Mark O'Luck, an expert in Community Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Personal Communications Corp.

The program represents a unique opportunity for both SL Green and local high school students to work together in the real estate industry. The five interns will help with various projects involving SL Green's New York City portfolio, which represents more than 25 million square feet of commercial office space.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the local community by working with its young members," said Edward V. Piccinich, Executive Vice President and Director of Management and Construction for SL Green.

“Community Board 10 very much appreciates SL Green's willingness to reach out to employ local youth," noted Elizabeth Braton, CB 10 chair.

PHOTO COURTESY JANET BURNS/SL GREEN
Samantha Granickas of Howard Beach, a new SL Green intern; Larry Thomson of SL Green; Essence Thomas of South Ozone Park, a new intern; Linda Quinlan of SL Green; Jackie Ford of South Ozone Park, a new intern; Scott Davis of South Ozone Park, a new intern; Josh Kaye of South Ozone Park, a new intern; Walter Mosley of Spectrum; and Gail Bullen of Spectrum.