Mr. OD Jonathan Porter is a 2008 graduate of the St. Louis Job Corps Center. OD entered Job Corps at 16 where completed both his high school diploma and the Business Technology program. OD describes himself as a good student in high school, but says he just did not see the point of classes that had little connection with what he wanted to accomplish; “I was ready to get started with my life and I wanted my education to support that.” It was his high school principal who suggested he connect with Job Corps and soon after he made the switch. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army; he credits the self-discipline he acquired while at Job Corps for his assimilation into the military. OD has moved on to a career as an entrepreneur, finding success in everything from sneakers to insurance and he consistently finds time to mentor young people regarding hard work and setting their own path. Serving his community is at the top of his list of responsibilities and he says he works each day to set an example for his daughter and to make her proud. Certainly, we are proud of OD’s success and respect his loyalty to his hometown of St. Louis.