JOB CORPS On August 23, 2013 across the nation one hundred twenty-five Job Corps centers celebrated the history and successes of Job Corps with a graduation ceremony honoring the 3rd Annual National Job Corps Commencement Day. On this day the Muhlenberg Job Corps celebrated with ten graduates from Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, and Virginia.
The ceremony began with prayer by Harrell Riley, founder of HR Ministries. Following, a video was shown of Pete Calvo, Horizons Youth Services President, offering a special commencement message to the graduates passionately stating “I want to thank all of the staff, students and community members for their support of the National Job Corps Associations 3rd Annual National Commencement Day. Today all 125 Job Corps Centers across the Nation are celebrating the graduation of thousands of Job Corps students as they become employable financially independent members of society. As a result of Job Corps comprehensive academic and career preparation services over 85% of our program graduates will pursue a career by enlisting into the military or continuing to higher education. On behalf of everyone at Horizons Youth Services we congratulate our graduates and encourage everyone to continue to share the message that Job Corps works for students, employers, our communities and our taxpayers.”
Tyiesha Lewis, graduate speaker from Clarksville, offered many words of advice to those still in training. She referenced words of wisdom from the famous Apple creator, Steve Jobs by saying “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center was honored to have Michael Pape, District Director for Congressman Ed Whitfield as the guest speaker. He began his speech by thanking students, instructors, and community supporters for their efforts in making Job Corps a successful government program. Pape referenced the movie “City Slickers” during his speech stating Billy Crystal, a city slicker went out on an adventure to a western cattle ranch to do only one thing, to find himself, to find the ‘one thing’ he was good at and that made him happy.
Pape also mentioned that Steve Jobs had dropped out of college, been fired, created the first computer from a garage and still worked hard enough to be the successful Apple electronics creator. He clearly stated “it was obvious Steve Jobs knew what his ‘one thing’ was. It was working with computer devices which lead the world of music, movies, and telephones into a new revolution. Graduates, find your ‘one thing’ and be successful contributing citizens of society.”
The ceremony closed with the distribution of the diplomas and closing remarks from Center Director, Kenny Brown who said “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” said Kenny Brown, the center’s director. “Graduates remember to dream and be patient, go out and change the world as Harriet Tubman did. I know each and every one of you has the strength to be a real difference in our world.”