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The Santa Rosa School District nominates Barry Gooden for the WIA Younger Youth Participant of the Year. Barry Gooden, 16 years old, entered the WIA Youth Services Program in November of 2008. He began work at The Ridge Cinema and received nothing but the highest remarks from his supervisor, Jeff. Barry's worksite supervisor reports that Barry is doing an "excellent job". Barry is a junior at Milton High School and is very involved in sports. He has always shown responsibility for his extracurricular activities when it might interfere with work. His case manager reports that he talked to Barry's employer at The Ridge Cinema. The manager reports that Barry is one of the best employees he has. Barry is always responsible, does a wonderful job, and always lets us know ahead of time the days he will not be able to work. Barry needed more hours and more money, so he approached the manager and requested a promotion and additional hours. As soon as the position became available, Barry was promoted in May 2009. Barry is truly the epitome of the younger youth participants who are succeeding in our program.

Zach is a very unusual young man. From the third grade to his graduation from High School, Zach has taken part in many community projects and volunteered at the sub acute care program at Baptist Manor. Zach volunteered in the recovery efforts helping to rebuild the Zoo after hurricane Ivan and Denis. Zach ran track and cross country from 6th grade through 11th and played saxophone in the school's band through his freshmen year of high school. In his Senior year, Zach worked has an anesthesiologist assistant in the operating room at Sacred Heart Hospital as part of West Florida Advanced Career Experience and the Workforce Investment Act programs. While working in the operating room at Sacred Heart Hospital, Zak was a team member taking part in open heart surgery, the birth of a baby by caesarean section, an organ harvest and many other unique procedures. Zak completed West Florida's High School's Nursing program and earned his Certified Nursing Assistant Certification. Zach is a gold medallion Bright Futures and Frankel Scholarship recipient. Zach is currently an entering freshmen at the University of North Florida where he started with 14 credit hours he earned by taking Advanced Placement courses and summer classes at Pensacola Junior College while still in Hight School. His plans are to obtain his nursing degree and work as a traveling nurse.

Tyrah is currently doing work experience at Spencer Bibbs Elementary School and exhibits all the qualities of a future employee. Her duties include assisting the front office staff, teachers, parents, students and administrative staff. Tyrah reports to work early with enthusiasm everyday and assists wherever she can. You will see her greeting parents, showing them to classrooms, taking students to classes, answering the phone, making copies, helping teachers with projects, assisting with textbook inventory, working in the classroom assisting teachers, working on reading with students, helping with filing, collating and any other duties needed. Tyrah has been with Spencer Bibbs for two years where she has worked in the cafeteria and in the afterschool program with Linking Arms. She even attends evening programs at the school to assist the staff such as Open House and Orientation. The staff at Spencer Bibbs feels that Tyrah has made herself a valued member of the staff. The principal states that Tyrah has learned many job skills and exhibits the maturity to handle such a position. The principal also stated she would have no hesitation in hiring Tyrah. Tyrah is presently attending Pensacola Junior College in the evening to receive her GED. She aspires to become a physical therapist.

Jasmine became a WIA younger Youth participant in the YouthWorks Program on August 18, 2005. She was initially enrolled in a basic skills goal. She attended tutoring at West Pensacola Outreach Center weekly to increase her test scores. Jasmine was a model participant and worked as a mentor and tutor for younger youth at the after school program. Jasmine attained her basic skills sufficiency and was enrolled in a work readiness goal and began work readiness activities. Jasmine maintained the A/B honor roll during her four years at West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. She participated in all activities and quarterly events sponsored by the YouthWorks Program. These events allowed Jasmine to gain valuable information on community resources, education, culture, and career development. During her final phase in the YouthWorks Program, Mrs. McQueen assisted Jasmine with the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA), completed scholarship searches, and then Jasmine decided to attend Pensacola Junior College. Jasmine was accepted and enrolled on July 15, 2009 and is enrolled as a full-time student.