Originally aired on KNBN News Center 1, March 21, 2012. Story by Danielle Grossman. http://www.newscenter1.tv/stories/11222.aspx

Many people are probably thinking about heading to pool with these warms temperatures in the Black Hills, but one group of students isn’t thinking about swimming in a pool, their actually volunteering their time to refurbish one.

Darrion Rouse is only 17 and a part of the program.  He says, “We’re painting the structure were using an oil base paint because it sticks well to concrete and metals”.

Darrion Rouse and some of his fellow students are painting and refinishing the waterslide at the Sturgis Community Center as part of their Job Corps Training Program.

Painting instructor from Job Corps, Tim Raftery says, “It’s been around since 1964 and it’s all about teaching young adults.  It’s about what is your choice in life, where are you going to go what are you going to do”.

This federally funded program helps students receive their GED’s, high school diplomas and gain skills they need for the future, free of cost.
 
Besides the 220 students currently enrolled in the Job Corps Program, only about 19 have perused the painting career path. Besides painting they have Culinary Arts, Nursing and Business Administration.  Rouse says the instructors are great as well. “They’re really helpful know how to be very professional”.
   
Besides learning a special trade, the students gain social skills and living skills by housing in a dormitory in Nemo, SD with the other students.

As for Darion, he’s only a few months away from completion and already has plans for his future and says, “If you’re going to come to Job Corps, don’t mess around, remember what you came there for, focus”.

Raftery says the program is a proven success. “Probably 3 out of 5 students complete and go on to position with local contractors, college or the military”.