Area Youth Interns with City

In a remarkable display of ambition and dedication, a local high school student has embarked on an extraordinary journey by securing an internship with the City of Arkansas City.

Since the beginning of June, Isaac Pieper, a junior at Arkansas City High School, has received firsthand experience and a unique insight into the inner workings of local governance.

Pieper's interest in local government sparked when he emailed his school counselor about possible opportunities to learn more about engineering or planning.

"I knew I wanted to do something this summer to get a little more experience since the time is coming to plan for college. I wanted to see if this kind of engineering or planning is what I want to do," Pieper said.

From shadowing Josh White, principal planner; Katie Gonzalez, animal control/nuisance abatement officer; Mike Bellis, building official, as well as the water treatment facility, police department, and fire department, as a city intern, Pieper has been allowed to understand how the City of Arkansas City operates.

"It's fascinating to see the inner working of the city. I didn't realize until I came here that all the departments come together to work," Pieper said.

Pieper, the son of Jamie and Ben Pieper, hopes to pursue a degree at The University of Kansas or Kansas State University in geography and possibly urban regional planning.

"What intrigues me is just the actual design part. The idea of designing a city and learning how to make accommodations for people," Pieper said.

Building Official Mike Bellis has worked closely with Pieper and agrees he's on the right career path.

"He's like a sponge. He craves information. He's always looking for something to do and is so polite. He constantly wants more details. If he's not busy in the office, he will go upstairs to the vault and look at old cases. He will be an excellent engineer," Bellis said.

Pieper will continue his internship with the City of Arkansas City for the remainder of the summer.