Muhlenberg Job Corps Center hosts Men in Black banquet

Guest Speaker Jesse Varner visits with Muhlenberg students during the
annual Men in Black event.

Jesse Varner, the guest speaker for the Men in Black banquet in November at the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center, posed the following question to the male students at the center: “What does it take to be a man?”  Varner, a former Student Personnel manager at the Great Onyx Job Corps, challenged the students to really think about how a real man thinks and acts.  Varner said, “Sometimes the things we think are cool and in vogue are not the things we need to be successful in life.”

The Men in Black banquet is an annual affair that challenges students to think about dressing for success and what it takes to be successful in today’s world.

Varner grew up in rural Kentucky and came from a family of 10 children.  He joined the Army when he was 17, served honorably, and went on to work as postmaster for Park City, Ky., before retiring. He has been elected six times to serve as a councilman for his hometown of Smiths Grove, Ky. In his spare time he is a substitute teacher in the Edmonson County School System.  He received his Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees after turning 60 years old.

In the spring, a similar event is held for the ladies called The Ladies Tea. Both events focus on the manners, dress and attitudes needed to be successful in today’s ever-changing work world.

Prestonsburg senior citizens get special holiday treat with music of Perkins student Victoria Chenoweth

Victoria Chenoweth presents her own holiday cheer
with music for senior citizens.

The Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center has been assisting with the Prestonsburg Senior Citizens Center annual Christmas Dinner for years.  Students have helped with the preparation of food, and decorating the dining area for the holidays. But this year, the senior citizens got an extra treat Dec. 12 when 19-year-old Culinary Arts student Victoria Chenoweth played Christmas music on the harp. She captured the attention of everyone with the beautiful sounds of holiday music, so much so that Senior Citizens Center Director Al Gunter said, "We have our very own angel.”

Chenoweth, from Elkins, W.Va., currently is completing a work-based learning internship at the Senior Citizens Center.

An accomplished musician, she has been playing the harp for four years. She also plays the flute, piano, piccolo and guitar.

After completing her education at Perkins, Chenoweth plans to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. She has been a student at Perkins Job Corps six months, under the instruction of Chef Terry Marrs, culinary arts instructor.

Muhlenberg Job Corps celebrates accomplishments of nine new graduates

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center celebrated the accomplishments of nine new graduates during commencement ceremonies Dec. 18 at the center.

Graduate Brian Rondon lead the Pledge of Allegiance, Indonesia Carter delivered the graduate welcome, and Raven Cash was the graduate speaker.  Raven shared how Job Corps had turned her life around and would make things better for her five-year-old son.  She shared that just a few months ago, she had been working menial jobs, but that now she feels she has a chance at a good life with better wages.

Muhlenberg Center Director Kenny Brown and Rashaun Phelps, Student Government president, passed out diplomas to the graduates.  Brown closed the ceremony with a challenge to each graduate to be kind and work hard in life.

Graduates include Demetris Broady of Memphis, Tenn., arrived with a high school diploma (HSD), completed Medical Office Support; Indonesia Carter of Woodbridge, Va., HSD, completed Medical Office Support; Raven Cash of Ocean View, Va., arrived with HSD, completed Clinical Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Tech; Shontaya Coston of Gloucester, Va., arrived with HSD, completed Medical Office Support and Pharmacy Tech; Christina Hawkins of Brooksville, Fla., HSD, completed Medical Office Support; Jason Janatsch of Oklahoma City, Ok., HSD, completed Medical Office Support; Shy’Aire Lawrence of High Point, N.C., GED, completed Heavy Equipment Operator; Bryan Rondon of Miami, Fla., HSD, completed Heavy Equipment Operator; and Brian Weir of Ruskin, Fla., arrived with HSD, completed Heavy Equipment Operator and Commercial Driver’s License.

Congratulations to our newest graduates and best wishes as you begin new careers and/or continue your education.

December 2012 graduates include, seated, left to right, Raven Cash, Demetrius Broady, Shy’Aire Lawrence and Christina Hawkins; Standing, left to right, Brian Weir, Jason Janatsch, Indonesia Carter, Shontaya Coston and Brian Rondon.

Enjoy the December 2012 edition of the Panther Press, the quarterly newsletter of the Charleston Job Corps Center.

Enjoy the December 2012 edition of News & Views, the quarterly newsletter of the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center.

Enjoy the December 2012 edition of the Cougar Courier, the quarterly newsletter of the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center

Charleston Job Corps training leads to successful employment

Charleston Job Corps Center continues to train and educate students for career success that lasts a lifetime. Here are just a few of our successful graduates.

Briana Brown is working at the Army base in Norfolk, Va., making $14.65/hr. She completed the Office Administration Trade.

Ayai Vines is working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington, D.C.. making $11.77/hr.

Nykeema French completed the Certified Nursing Assistant trade and enrolled in higher education.

Scott Woods completed the Office Administration trade and is working for Western Petroleum for $15/hr.

Corey Hughes and Antonio Woodrup both completed the carpentry career technical training program and are working for contractors and builders in Baltimore, Md., making $14/hr.

Muhlenberg Job Corps hosts Australian basketball team

Team members from the Muhlenburg Bulldogs and the Kilsyth Cobras
gather for a social hour and cultural exchange following the game
between the two teams.

A unique cultural exchange took place on the basketball courts at Muhlenberg Job Corps Center Dec. 4 as an Australian women’s basketball team played the Muhlenberg Bulldogs.

The Kilsyth Cobras, a high school team from Melbourne, Australia, defeated the Bulldogs 54-42, as part of the team’s tour of the United States. The Kilsyth Cobras played seven games in Kentucky before doing some sight-seeing throughout the U.S. during their 22-day visit to the United States. The team will visit New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Following the game at Muhlenberg, teams exchanged gifts and had a social hour to meet each other and share stories from home. Cody Perry, Muhlenberg JCC recreation supervisor, said, “The game with Kilsyth was one of the best recreational experiences I’ve been a part of since coming on staff at Muhlenberg.” Jason Shafer, academic instructor at Muhlenberg Job Corps, who also serves as the girls’ basketball coach, said “It was a neat cultural experience for both teams to get acquainted after the game.”