http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/11100382-418/joliet-job-corps-honors-supporters-at-commencement.html

Updated: March 8, 2012 2:39AM

JOLIET — Joliet Job Corps gave three awards to those who play an important — and unpaid — role during its winter commencement ceremonies Feb. 10.

Community awards went to Virgil Kemp of Joliet; Helpers of Mother Earth; and Home Goods of Shorewood, a work-based learning site. Volunteer Sharon White of Frankfort was honored for tutoring in math, science and pre-military and also teaching nutrition.

Kemp in turn gave certificates to coordinators Antione Edwards and Jan Larsen for supplying students who help him clean up and recycle litter in warmer months.

“No one seems to want to clean up litter,” he said. “But Joliet Job Corps students have done an awesome job.”

When he can, Kemp bikes to the center to talk to students on Monday mornings.

“In 2011, I gave my talk to about 107 students,” he said. “About 90 percent of those did two cleanups, which lasted 2 to 2 ½ hours.”

Kemp could be described as the Joliet czar of litter cleanup.

“It’s just my personal passion,” said the former Country Club Hills resident who moved here in 2009.

“Each year our students perform more than 1,000 hours of community service overall,” Larsen said. “It’s important to us to give back as we ask for help in giving students a ‘hand up.’”

Eighty-three students completed education and training required for graduation. Valedictorian Brandy Hunt, 20, is from Dixon. Salutatorian Francisco Bedolla, 18 is from Chicago.

Retired Judge Raymond Bolden, the commencement speaker, related how he grew up in much the same environment as many Job Corps students.

“I was homeless at 13 and was getting into foster care when my grandpa came and got my brother and me,” he said.

He had already decided, at age 9, that he wanted to be a lawyer. His hero was Thurgood Marshall. Bolden shared his five P’s of success: perspicacity (wisdom), patience, persistence, perseverance and prayer.

Joliet Job Corps, a federally funded training facility, is rated No. 5 out of 124 centers nationwide based on student outcomes.