ABOVE: Sisters Kiley and Kelley Bettin. The two will serve as interns for both Fairmont and Martin County West Community Education and Recreation this summer.

FAIRMONT– Through a unique partnership, the Fairmont and Martin County West (MCW) Community Education and Recreation (CER) offices will be sharing a set of interns this summer though the Martin County/Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) internship program. Twin sisters Kelley and Kiley Bettin will split their time between the two offices.

Fairmont CER has been set up with an intern through the program the last few summers and director Stephanie Busiahn said she had told MCW’s CER Director, Nickole Bowie, to see if their office could find one, too.

“I already had the interns in mind when I filled out the application. I reached out to the two girls I was interested in having and they filled out the application and got it turned in,” Bowie said.

The interests of the Bettin girls fit well with what the CER offices were looking for. Next there was the question of whether to split them up, with one at Fairmont’s office and one at MCW’s office, or share them both.

“(MVAC Coordinator) Tammie Hested said to have two in one location might be challenging, but if we could spread the love and have them serve in dual locations would work. Fairmont and Martin County West CER have partnered on a couple of other programs so this just made sense,” Busiahn said.

“They work really well together so we decided to share them,” Bowie said.

The decision was one the girls, who are 2022 MCW graduates, were pleased with. They’re both attending South Dakota State University and majoring in early childhood education with a minor in human development and family studies.

“We’re roommates,” said Kelley with a laugh.

She said that during their senior year of high school they spent some time in classrooms at the Elementary School to help tutor students.

“We missed the kids so much during our freshman year of college that we visited during Christmas break. Mrs. Bowie… reached out and told us that there’s this internship program,” Kelley said.

Kiley said that they were very interested in the internship program because there’s really no other internship over the summer months that deals with teaching kids.

“It fit perfectly with our schedules,” Kiley said.

“Also being local was a huge benefit. We didn’t have to move somewhere like two hours away for three months. That was a huge plus,” said Kelley.

While in the Fairmont CER office, the two will be helping with a variety of programs, including Tball and the summer parks playground program.

Fairmont’s CER office also has Emily Lubenow returning this summer. Lubenow started as an intern through the county/MVAC program and is now returning for her fifth summer to run the program. Courtney Williams is also a past intern who is returning to coordinate Tball.

“That provides some additional leadership here so that we can plug the interns into a variety of locations to fit the needs and also find out what they’re must interested in to make sure that it’s a well-rounded experience for them,” Busiahn said.

Fairmont’s CER office encourages registration for the parks playground program to ensure that they have adequate supplies, though they do still welcome walk-ins.

Busiahn said they currently have about 30 students registered.

The program starts on June 19 and runs for eight weeks with an indoor program taking place at the start of each week for Makerspace Monday. Then they will be at a different park each day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

“Halfway through the program, the three parks will change to three new parks,” Busiahn said.

The six parks hit throughout the program include Gomsrud, Wards, Veterans, Amber Lake, Sylvania and Lincoln.

Bowie said she’s planning on having the two run their CER park and play program, which is a new program the office is trying out.

“The use of the internship is what’s allowing us to offer the program,” Bowie said.

Similar to Fairmont CER’s park program, Bowie said that the girls will put together lesson plans and teach the children a game or an activity. There will also be play time at the park and a snack provided.

This program will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the city park Monday in Trimont, Wednesday in Welcome and Friday in Sherburn.

There is no sign up requirement for MCW’s park and play program but Bowie said they ask that children under age 6 have a guardian with them.

While Kelley and Kiley just wrapped up their freshman year of college, they would like to move back to the area and find teaching jobs in Martin County after they graduate college.

For now, they’re looking forward to starting their new summer internship on June 8.

“I’m looking forward to getting more hands-on experience with the kids. Even though next year I’ll be in a teacher assistance position, I still really don’t have independent leadership skill opportunities with the kids yet. I think this will help prepare us for our future career and whatever that looks like,” Kiley said.

Kelley is looking forward to getting out of her comfort zone and learning new things.

“Instead of just going back to Martin County West, I’m branching out to Fairmont opportunities. Networking opportunities are very important,” Kelley said.

Bowie is excited to once again work with the Bettin girls and help them get some experience that will assist them in their long-term profession.

“We’re super excited. I think I have a fantastic team with some veterans and Kelley and Kiley will bring a fresh set of eyes. I’m excited for this summer,” Busiahn said.