This summer, Jesus Munoz, a recent high school graduate from Wasco, served as an intern in the city of Wasco’s Information Technology Department thanks to support from the California City Management Foundation’s Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund.
The Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund awards two $5,000 grants annually to California cities to support internships for high school and college students. The program is funded in partnership between CCMF and the estate of Judy Lyn Kelsey, a longtime California city manager who believed in creating pathways for the next generation of public service leaders.
During his internship, Jesus assisted the IT team with day-to-day computer support, troubleshooting desktop, and software issues and helping ensure city staff could continue their work without delay. He also gained valuable experience in how to communicate in a professional setting, collaborate with staff across departments and build confidence in his technical skills.
“Jesus quickly became a reliable part of our team this summer. His willingness to learn and his positive attitude made a big difference in supporting our staff with their technology needs,” said Information Technology Manager Manny Garcia. “From helping employees with troubleshooting to assisting with larger projects, he showed growth and professionalism in a short time.”
Among his notable projects, Jesus helped install and configure video surveillance cameras at the Police Activities Center (PAL) building, ensuring the system functioned properly for safety and security. He also prepared and set up chromebooks for the PAL Program, installing software, creating accounts and making sure students had reliable access to digital learning tools.
“This internship gave me the chance to use the skills I learned in the CTEC program during my senior year of high school.” Jesus said. ’’It also helped me gain confidence in my technical skills and in how to work with people in a professional setting. I now have a better understanding of what it is like to work in an I.T. department and I plan to continue my college education at Taft College in computer science.”
The city of Wasco is proud of Jesus’ contributions and grateful for the opportunity to provide him with meaningful work experience through the Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund. His efforts not only supported staff and programs this summer but also built a strong foundation for his future career in technology. Applications for the 2026 Judy Kelsey Memorial Fund will open to California cities next spring. For more information, visit the Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund webpage.
