Commencement Graduation Day, 2022

Cleveland Job Corps Center joined 121 job Corps centers across the country to celebrate the 12th annual “National Job Corps Commencement Day” ceremony, on Friday, August 19th. 2022.
38 students were eligible, graduate candidates. Composing our Graduate Class of 2022. 10 of which were able to physically attend and cross the stage with pride and joy in their great accomplishment this day. These are, Shyla Armstrong, Nursing Asst., Home Health Aide. D’Angelo Davis, Facilities Maintenance. Mahagony Hogan, Pharmacy Technician. Toneisha Johnson, Nurse Asst., Home Health Aide. La’Narda Jones, Nurse Asst., Home Health Aide. Akyia Randall, Brick laying, Carpentry. Dejon Sharp, Brick Laying, Office Asst. Zachary Vardaris, Pharmacy Technician. Cambria Weeks, Nurse Asst, Home Health Aide, Clinical Medical Asst. and Andante Williams, Clinical Medical Asst.
And the other 28 are, Jeremiah Anderson, Carpentry. Andre Anthony, Facilities Maintenance. Miquel Beckham, Medical Administration. Daniel Christian, Carpentry. Brandon Cummings Jr., Office Assistant. Kenneth Davis, Nurse Asst., Home Health Aide. Garyon Fails, Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide. Natalie Ferguson, Nursing Asst., Home Health Aide, Medical Adm., Billing and Coding. Michael Gant, Carpentry. Jessica Grant Thompson, Brick Laying. Lafayette Hiley, Office Asst. Julian Jones, Office Asst., Bricklaying. Rick Kelly, Office Asst. Nicole Krofta, Facilities Maintenance. Tyrell Marchand, Carpentry. William McCorkle, Facilities Maintenance. Dazhun McNary, Brick Laying. Sharnise Page, Nurse Asst., Home Health Aide. Alantae Pettway, Brick Laying. Ya’Riah Preston, Carpentry. Luis Rivera, Brick Laying. Sean Simmons, Carpentry. Dietrick Stewart, Carpentry. Armond Thomas, Brick Laying. Jeaneriq Thomptson, Pharmacy Technician. Trevon Triplett, Brick Laying, Medical Adm. Gregory Valentine, Brick Laying. And Warren Woodland, Clinical Medical Asst. Who for various other commitments were unable to attend physically for commencement.
Our Keynote speaker was Jacques O. Smith, Sr.” and he is an accomplished higher education professional with extensive experience in student diversity and leadership initiatives, administrative coordination, and faculty interaction”. Who was able to capture the graduates and audience attention with a story of survival; and overcoming obstacles towards his success; as he is a liver transplant survivor. Overcoming life obstacles. He has been employed with Cuyahoga Community College for 23 years and currently serves as Director of the Black American Council. Within his role he uses various outreach tools, in an ongoing effort of establishing and maintaining mutually benefited relationships between the college, students and the community”. Per his biography. And he strongly “encouraged all students to continue on their upward journey towards success as on this day, in completing our programs, they have demonstrated commitment to their future, their career and their independence. Overcoming obstacles and reaching their goals”. “Overcoming life obstacles, today you receive your reward for all your hard work and dedication.” He said. Concluding “believe you can, and you will”.
The city of Cleveland sent representation via their, Chief Sonyo Pryer-Jones who representing the City, addressed our graduates with words of wisdom and congratulatory wishes on behalf of the City of Cleveland and Mayor Justin Bibbs, who was unable to attend.
Councilmen Michael Polensek, from our Ward #8 sent his congratulatory wishes and remarks via a letter addressed to our graduates. Apologizing for “not being able to deliver my remarks to the Graduation Class in person”. He indicated that he “wished to congratulate the graduates of the Cleveland Job Corps Center, for their achievements and extend best wishes to them in all their future endeavors. Stay safe and healthy”. He wrote.
And our Congresswoman, Shontel Brown sent” her regrets in not being able to attend, due to “a scheduling conflict”. And asked that “we please keep her in mind for future events”. Congratulating our graduates”.
Our Center Director (CD) Ms. Cathy Williams, was very happy to “highlight that for the month of August, our first in-person graduation to be held at our Cleveland Job Corps Center, since COVID-19, was a success. The graduation was small, but the overall good feeling was “big”. She says. “Everyone felt there was nothing more important than ensuring we could have that celebration, especially since it was National Job Corps Graduation Day. A time when centers celebrate student accomplishments across the country”. The CD concludes happy and proud of all students accomplishments this day celebrated.