Carl D. Perkins SGA officers take on issues of bullying and disrespect to staff



The Carl D. Perkins SGA delegation.

 Student Government Association officers from Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center took on the important issues of bullying and disrespect to staff as part of an action plan they created for their center and presented to fellow SGA officers at the end of the weeklong SGA Leadership Conference. The conference, held twice a year, focused on the theme: Leadership and Citizenship. The Perkins delegation joined SGA officers from 10 other Job Corps centers for the conference, held Oct. 23-26 at Camp Horizons near Harrisonburg, Va. The event, hosted by Horizons Youth Services, which operates the Perkins center, offers training in leadership, communication skills, critical thinking skills, personal responsibility and team building.

The weeklong conference culminates with each team of SGA officers presenting their action plans to fellow SGA delegations at the conference. Teams will present their action plans to the senior management staff at their centers when they return to their centers.

The Perkins team’s action plan had three main components: creating and implementing a bullying program to educate students about bullying and its effects; creating and implementing a mentor program that matches SGA members with new students; and holding monthly Bullying Awareness assemblies to help educate students about the issues of bullying and disrespect to staff.

The Perkins team included Temika Hodge, president; Rose Petit, vice president; Bria Baulding, secretary; Peter Larkin, treasurer; Travis Strope, sergeant at arms; and Benny Casilla, committee chair. Advisors accompanying the students were Shonna Moore and Harold Auxier.

For additional information about the Region 2 SGA Leadership Conference, please visit HorizonsLeadership.com.

Charleston SGA officers tackle issue of bullying at SGA Leadership Conference

The Charleston SGA delegation.

Student Government Association officers from Charleston Job Corps Center tackled the issue of bullying in an action plan the officers created during the recent Region 2 SGA Leadership Conference. The conference, held twice a year, focuses on leadership training, communication skills, critical thinking skills, personal responsibility and team building. Charleston SGA officers attended the conference from Oct. 23-26 at Camp Horizons near Harrisonburg, Va. The event was hosted by Horizons Youth Services, which operates Charleston Job Corps Center.

The weeklong conference culminates with each team of SGA officers creating an action plan to present to fellow SGA delegations at the conference and to present to senior management staff when they return to their center.

The Charleston team focused on bullying and ways to create a positive culture on campus that encourages respect for all students and staff. Team members proposed educating students about the issue of bullying through posters and flyers posted around campus and by holding classroom presentations that focus on the subject. The team also proposes establishing an anti-bullying committee comprised of SGA members, dorm representatives, area presidents and others.

The Charleston officers joined SGA officers from 10 other Job Corps centers from throughout the nation for the conference. Students stepped out of their comfort zones as they tackled the low challenge initiatives that promote problem solving, communication and team effort, and the high ropes initiatives, which require intense focus and determination. Students also attended classroom sessions that focused on communication skills, public speaking, working as a team and leadership.

Charleston SGA officers included Felipe Phillips, president; Shawn Murphy, vice president; Shanae Brown, secretary; Amanda Shields, treasurer; Shauna Parsons, public relations; and Aisha Watte, dorm area representative. Advisors accompanying the team were Jaron Burch and Jennifer Lester.

For more information about the Region 2 SGA Leadership Conference, please visit HorizonsLeadership.com.

Muhlenberg  Job Corps SGA officers attend SGA Leadership Conference

The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center SGA delegation.

Student Government Association officers from Muhlenberg Job Corps Center traveled to Virginia for a weeklong SGA Leadership Conference. The Region 2 event, held twice a year, focuses on leadership training, communication skills, critical thinking skills, personal responsibility and team building.

The conference, which ran Oct. 23-26 at Camp Horizons near Harrisonburg, Va., was hosted by Horizons Youth Services, which operates Muhlenberg.

SGA officers from 11 different Job Corps centers from throughout the nation stepped out of their comfort zones as they tackled the low challenge initiatives that promote problem solving, communication and team effort, and the high ropes initiatives, which require intense  focus, and, for many, required that students overcome fears and decide to accept and meet new challenges. The week also included classroom sessions dealing with communication skills, public speaking, working as a team and leadership.

Each SGA delegation was tasked with creating an action plan for their individual centers that reflected the conference theme of Leadership and Citizenship. The Muhlenberg  team’s plan centered on guiding new students into leadership roles and community involvement. The plan called for the SGA to be involved with meeting and greeting new students as they arrive at airports and on center, create a new diversity/adjustment class for new students, and involve new students in community service projects such as Adopt a Highway.

Muhlenberg SGA officers attending included Rashaun Phelps, president; Patrice Howard, vice president; Ariel Watts, secretary; Ingrid Alvarenga, treasurer; Christy Miller, sergeant at arms; and Fabiola Louis, committee chair. Advisors accompanying the students were Christian Mancilla and Michelle Robinson.

For more information about the Region 2 SGA Leadership Conference, please visit HorizonsLeadership.com.

Horizons Youth Services hosts three weeks of leadership training for SGA officers from Job Corps centers

Job Corps students from across the country will meet at Camp Horizons near Harrisonburg, Va., for the SGA Leadership Conference. The conference, led by Horizons Youth Services, is held twice a year. The fall sessions kick off Oct. 23, with 11 teams from Job Corps centers attending the first session. Centers attending this first session include Cleveland, Carl D. Perkins, Charleston, Keystone, Muhlenberg, Sacramento, Detroit, Earle C. Clements, Philadelphia, North Texas and Pittsburgh Job Corps centers. The week-long sessions focus on leadership training, effective communication and team building. Centers send delegations of Student Government Association leaders and SGA advisors for the conference. Students start the week by tackling the low challenge courses at Camp Horizons, which are designed to enhance communitcation, critical thinking, problem solving and team building skills. Students also step outside their comfort zones as they tackle the high ropes challenge courses and public speaking. Delegation is tasked with creating an action plan for their centers that reflects the theme of the conference: "Citizenship and Leadership." On the final day of the conference, students formally present their plans to other conference participants and receive feedback on those plans. SGA leaders will present these plans to the senior management team at their centers once they return to their centers.

The second session of the SGA Fall 2012 Leadership Conference will run Nov. 6-9.

For more information about the SGA Leadership Conference, please visit HorizonsLeadership.com.

Coal academy liaison discusses mining industry, jobs with Muhlenberg Job Corps heavy industry cluster students

Rick Caskey of the Coal Academy at Madisonville Community College,
 discusses careers in mining with Muhlenberg students.

Rick Caskey, coal liaison for Coal Technology and the Coal Academy at Madisonville Community College, discussed jobs and qualifications needed for those jobs in the coal industry  with Muhlenberg Job Corps Heavy Industry Cluster students on Oct. 22. Caskey, a former underground miner, shared a PowerPoint presentation with the group about what it takes to become certified to work in an underground mine and safety issues miners face each day. Caskey also spoke about associate degrees students can obtain in the mining field. Students asked questions about salary ranges, safety and availability of jobs in the mining field. Caskey said he would investigate the possibility of obtaining dual credit hours for students who complete Job Corps certifications that are similar to the ones Madisonville CC requires. Madisonville Community College currently offers advanced training for Muhlenberg Job Corps students in the health and heavy industry trades after they complete the Job Corps program.

Charleston Job Corps student lands job because of work-based learning internship

Charleston Job Corps Student Roland Brungard III has landed a full-time job with One Hour, due in large part to his job performance during a work-based learning internship with the organization in August. Brungard demonstrated outstanding employability skills, and his internship supervisor and the site supervisor were both impressed with the student’s training and work ethic. Brungard began his full-time employment at One Hour as a probationary Level B Service Technician Oct. 1, with a starting pay of $10/hour.