HSTI Student Spotlight: Behind the Camera with Sophia Parlin
Sophia Parlin stands outside of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.
Written By: Kaitlin Streator, BB2C Communications and Engagement Coordinator
This year, BB2C’s High School Tech Internship (HSTI) program reached 28 Appalachian counties in Ohio, placing 171 students across 64 school districts into paid tech internships. While many students are diving into traditional fields like software development and broadband IT, one intern is exploring tech’s creative side in an unexpected setting: a historic Basilica, where she serves as a photographer and graphic designer.
On any given Sunday, Sophia Parlin can be seen sitting in a pew with her family at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta, Ohio. Parlin, a 2026 Washington County Career Center graduate, is not only a parishioner at the Basilica—she is also the high school tech intern in charge of building the church’s new directory, quite an undertaking given the hundreds of families involved.
“It's a big book that the church puts together,” Parlin explains. “It's got photos and addresses for everyone who participates, and we've even included business cards for parishioner-owned businesses.”
Parlin spent four weekends taking portraits for the directory and is now editing the final photos—a skill she honed through graphic design and video production classes at the Career Center.
Sophia Parlin said she fell in love with photography while takung graphic design classes at the Washington County Career Center
“Before the Career Center, I’d never really had access to a real camera. Mom let me use her phone if I wanted to snap a picture of a cool bird, but class was my first real experience with photography,” Parlin said. “I fell in love with it. That led into last summer, when I launched my own business, Partlands Photography. Now I do senior portraits, family shoots, and prom photos—all on top of building the church directory.”
Sophia started her own business, Parlin’s Photography.
Parlin plans to study Theology at Franciscan University and eventually work in ministry, but she was pleasantly surprised to land her dream role before stepping foot on a college campus.
“Everybody’s heard the saying, ‘If you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ That’s what this feels like,” Parlin said. “I love editing, I love being around people, and I love taking photos. It hasn't felt like work—I'm just having fun.”
Through BB2C's HSTI program, students like Sophia aren't just learning technical skills; they're connecting their passions directly to their local communities. For Sophia, that meant serving her hometown church while launching a career before freshman year even begins.
To learn more about the HSTI program, visit bb2careers.org/student-internships.