Hoards of college students packed into the Providence Bank basement on Thursday morning for the Jeff City Start Summer Kickoff.
The annual workshop, which was in its fourth year, focused on helping local interns become more connected to their surrounding city. Running a little more than four hours, the event offered activities, group discussions and even a couple of catered meals for the budding professionals.
Stephanie Bell, a committee chairwoman for Jeff City Start, said she's never seen such a positive turnout.
"I don't have the exact numbers, but I think this might be the biggest year yet," Bell said.
Amid gray skies and impending rain, the day began around 8 a.m. Interns were first assigned into interest groups based on a questionnaire that was filled out before Thursday. Some people talked about the thriving art scene in Jefferson City; others talked about the best local spots for volunteering.
Following the morning activity, interns piled into trolleys for a city tour. Since many of the students commute to work, Bell said, the tour offered a glimpse into what life in the capital can be like.
"We don't want them coming into their place of work, then returning right home," Bell said. "So we hope by driving them around a little bit around Jefferson City - showing them where they can shop, where they can eat, where they can hang out - that maybe on their lunch break or after work they'll take time to explore the community."
Christopher Wilson, sports sales manager for the Jefferson City Convention and Visitor's Bureau, led one of the trolley tours. More than anything else, he wanted to get the group of young professionals to see the city the way he does - as a wonderful home.
Wilson, a Helias Catholic High School graduate, has too many stories of the community to count. Standing in front of the trolley, he spoke about the opportunities in his hometown, focusing on Jefferson City's atmosphere and spirit.
"I think this community is (never) content," Wilson said. "We're always striving for more - more attractions, more diversity, all those different things that will make a better community."
The day ended with keynote speaker Bernie Fechtel, owner of Fechtel Beverage & Sales. A staple of the community, Fechtel spoke briefly about the history of his family's business, which has been in Jefferson City for upwards of 75 years. However, most of his time was spent empowering the room.
With the end of the workshop drawing near, he expressed confidence in those sitting before him. Fechtel said many college students are already smarter than their middle-aged counterparts, and people need to stop disregarding younger generations.
"They can learn just as much from the old folks as we can learn from them," he said.