Director of Social Development Mark DeLeon, Center Director Danny Grimes and Graduate Rachel Carr enjoy this special moment

 By Jeanne Vaughan, Business Community Liaison 

On November 18, 2011, 38 students and over 100 family and friends attended graduation ceremonies at the Old Dominion Job Corps Center in Monroe, Virginia. This event marks the completion of the students’ academic and vocational training through the job corps program. 

The commencement speaker was Ms. Lauren Compton, General Assignment Reporter for ABC Affiliate – WSET 13, in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ms. Compton is a native Virginian who earned her Broadcast Journalism degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Compton spoke to the students about perseverance and the importance of not giving up. She talked about her personal experiences and how things did not happen as quickly as she had anticipated in her career. She went on to explain that she thought she would immediately become the next Oprah when she completed her journalism degree and that she was initially disappointed. She went on to explain how she has progressed in her career – once again due to her perseverance.

 Center Director Danny Grimes and Director of Social Development Mark DeLeon presented the diplomas to the graduates.  

After the graduation ceremony, the graduates and their families and friends attended a reception in the Center Dining Hall. The refreshments were served by the Center’s Culinary Arts students. All in attendance enjoyed the food and fellowship.