Southampton Student Voices Shape New Business Advisory Council

Two Southampton High School juniors are making a meaningful impact by helping to establish a new Southampton School District Business Advisory Council aimed at expanding career opportunities for their peers.

Working alongside Director of Counseling Martha Tuthill, student ambassadors Cameron Kieffer and Jack D’Italia have taken an active role in launching the initiative that is focused on strengthening connections between the school district and the business community, opening doors for students to explore future career paths.

Since the start of the school year, the council has hosted two meetings, drawing participation from more than 20 local business leaders. Together, they are working to provide students with greater access to career information, internships and job opportunities, increasing awareness of local resources and strengthening career education programs.

The council has already made an impact. It has sponsored several career information sessions where students heard directly from professionals in a variety of fields. Presentations have featured careers in law enforcement, robotics and software engineering, and health care. An additional session centered on architecture is scheduled for late April. The council also sponsored a resume-building seminar to help students develop essential job-readiness skills.

Kieffer and D’Italia have supported the council’s mission by providing invaluable student insight, offering feedback on the types of events that would appeal to their peers and recommending times that are most convenient for student participation. They also launched an Instagram account to share information about upcoming assemblies and opportunities, helping to raise awareness about the council’s work and expand student engagement.

“It is so important to be able to share students’ perspectives,” said D’Italia. Kieffer agreed, adding, “We want our fellow students to know about all the resources available to them.”

Both students were inspired to join the council due to their interest in pursuing business degrees in college. Prior to attending Southampton High School, D’Italia was enrolled at St. Anthony’s High School, where monthly career assemblies were held. He wanted to help replicate them in Southampton. Kieffer saw the opportunity as a way to further explore her interest in business while building her resume with meaningful, real-world experience.

Looking ahead, the pair are working to spearhead a new business club at the school, set to launch in the fall of 2026, to give fellow students additional opportunities to explore careers in business.

Aside from participating in the Business Advisory Council, Kieffer is actively involved in her school community as a member of the National Honor Society, student government, and track and soccer teams. She also serves as a peer tutor and facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference and participates in Athletes Helping Athletes. Additionally, she has taken part in summer business programs, including classes at Columbia University, Harvard University and Vanderbilt University.

D’Italia is highly involved as well, playing on the golf and baseball teams and serving as a member of Best Buddies and the Varsity Club. He has also developed valuable networking connections while working as a caddy.

According to Tuthill, the Business Advisory Council is just getting started. “The council can only grow from here, and the plan is to build upon it every year,” she said.

The next Business Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at 8 a.m. at Southampton High School. Local business leaders interested in participating are encouraged to contact Tuthill at mtuthill@southamptonschools.org for more information.