The Milwaukee Job Corps Center held its first commencement activities on January 7, 2012.  Just a year after receiving students, the center saw 48 students walk across the stage to receive their certificates of completion.  The staff, students and families were filled with great pride during this celebration of success and accomplishments.  The Mayor of the city of Milwaukee, the Honorable Tom Barrett gave an address to the students and he was followed by the keynote speaker, U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore.  In attendance were U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and city of Milwaukee Alderman Robert Puente. In addition, Regional Director Diana Robertson was representing U.S. Senator Ron Johnson’s office and District Director, Lois O’Keefe from Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s accompanied the congresswoman. The event was made special by two student speakers who spoke of the way the Job Corps program changed the direction of their lives and set them on a positive path for the future. The perfect ending was when Team Manager Rodd Washington asked the students to stand and as they moved their tassels from one side to the other he stated, “Graduates, take your tassels and enter your new life.”  The first graduation celebration was a positive and exciting experience for the graduates, and it was an encouraging time for the students working toward the next graduation.