El Verano students interview hoteliers

El Verano students interview FSMI management|

El Verano Elementary School fifth graders Wyatt Hinman and Daunte Gonzalez visited Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa to interview two of the hotel’s top executives. The students were on special assignment to learn about the community through interviewing and reporting on what they had learned.

Wyatt and Daunte spent time with Michelle Heston, national public relations executive, and Rick Corcoran, general manager of the FSMI. Duante and Wyatt developed the questions, practiced interviewing, took notes and wrote the following article about Rick and Michelle.

“This is the perfect example of why partnerships, like the relationship between the hotel and our school, are so important,” said El Verano principal Maite Iturri.

Sonoma Mission Inn and El Verano Elementary School are partnered to promote literacy in the community through events such as this as well as others, explained Heston. The hotel will be hosting a book club for students in February. In addition, the hotel headed a book drive for the school in December.

“All of these efforts work in-service to promoting awareness and the development of literacy for our students,” said Iturri.

“When people outside the school take an interest in students as learners, we all benefit,” said Heston. “Students rise to the occasion when we take interest in their learning and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they know. These activities give students visibility and voice.”

Wyatt: What is your position at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn?

Rick Corcoran told us that he is the “general manager.” Michelle Heston’s position is public relations, partnerships, and she does the advertising.

Daunte: “What do you like most about your position?”

Rick stated that, “It is a lot of fun, my days are never the same, and I impact people’s lives in a positive way every day.” Michelle thinks she has the best position in the whole hotel. She likes being a spokesperson and telling people how great the FSMI is.

Daunte: If you could change one thing about your job what would it be?

Rick said that he would not change anything about his job. Michelle told us that she “Wants more hours in a day.” Rick said, “I could not agree more!”

Daunte: So why did you go into the hotel business?

Rick said that he stumbled into it. He started out in the restaurant cleaning dishes and cooking. He wanted to study for the hotel business and went to hotel school.

Michelle said that she “worked in other industries like a banker and went to medical school, but then I got offered a job and have been here ever since.”

Wyatt: Why is it so important to help El Verano School?

Rick said, “We share what we have, it is very fulfilling, and we get more from relationships than we give.” When talking with Michelle, she said, “We have an amazing relationship and it is critical for our business to support public education.”

Daunte: Do you have any hobbies outside of work? If so, what are they?

Rick’s hobbies are playing guitar, drums, running and he loves to cook.

Outside of work Michelle likes to snow ski, snowboard, cycle and bake cakes.

Wyatt: Do you like to read or write?

Rick said, “I like to read music, bios, trade publications and hotel related work.” He did let us know that he does not like to write. Michelle said, “I love to read a book a week. My job involves quite a bit of writing.”

Daunte: If you could say one thing to your 10-year-old self what would it be?

Rick told us that “sharing is caring, be a good student, and do anything you want.” Michelle told us to “dream big!”

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