The Muhlenberg Job Corps celebrated National Job Corps Commencement Day by honoring nine graduates.  Alfonza Hagan, 1982 Muhlenberg graduate, was the keynote speaker for the event.   Hagan received his GED and heavy equipment operator’s certificate while at Muhlenberg.   He credited the local Job Corps for “turning his life around and helping him see the world through a different viewfinder.”  He challenged the graduates and current students to take advantage of what they learn in Job Corps and go out and be productive citizens.  Hagan said, “Job Corps put me on the track to a wonderful life I have had the privilege to live.”

Graduate Mikelle Cathey opened the ceremony with the pledge to the flag.  Brenttney Turner delivered the graduate welcome to the attendees.  Graduate Antonio Jones gave an emotional commencement address while holding his two year old daughter.  Jones spoke of how Job Corps had helped him and put him on the road to success.  Mikelle Cathey, Andrew Crump, Samantha Daugherty, Antonio Jones, Michelle Marlow, Kaishaell Mayfield, Jackie Nichols, Brenttney Turner and Patrice Walker were the graduates honored on this special day.

Across the nation one hundred twenty five Job Corps centers celebrated National Job Corps Commencement Day.  The day was a special recognition the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act in1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.  The new act gave birth to Head Start, Vista and the present Job Corps program.  Job Corps serves 60,000 youth each year and has had over two million graduates.  Job Corps is the largest residential training program in the United States.