The Santa Rosa School District nominates Donovan Nash as their WIA Older Youth Participant of the Year for 2009. Donovan Nash is a 19 year old WIA Older Youth participant, who entered the WIA Older Youth Program in April, 2009. He came to the WIA Youth Program as a shy young man who needed assistance in developing a career path, and in developing self confidence. Since Donovan was not actively employed, and needed a job to develop self confidence and develop job skills.   He was transferred into the Summer Youth Program in June 2009 where he was placed at Locklin Technical Center in the Information Technology Department.  There he aided the instructor in repairing staff and public computer hardware systems.  Being a part of the Summer Youth Employment Program and working in a job which requires strong socialization skills helped Donovan become a more outgoing young man with improved self-esteem.  Donovan graduated Santa Rosa Adult High School in July 2009, and continues his participation in the WIA Older Youth Program.  He now attends Locklin Technical Center where he is pursuing his Information Technology Industry Certification.  His instructor, Whitney Wesley, has praised Donovan’s efforts in his class work and expects great things from him in the future.

Children’s Home Society nominates Ashley Petersen as the Older Youth nominee for WIA Older Youth of the Year.  Ashley began participating in the Youth Works program during the 2008-2009 contract year.  In December 2007, Ashley graduated from PJC Adult High School.  Since childhood she has been taking medication for seizures, and Ashley was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after her High School graduation.  With disappointment, Ashley contacted PJC’s Nursing department to hold her spot due to the upcoming surgery.  The surgery was successful and Ashley was finally able to begin her classes in the  Surgical Technology program.  At the age of 18, Ashley was faced with the pressures of being a teen parent.   During her pregnancy, Ashley completed two PJC post secondary classes.  Her plan was to be ahead of her class beginning in August 2009.   Ashley was placed at a YouthWorks worksite and eventually moved to unsubsidized employment.  While being faced with difficult situations, she has never lost sight of her focus.  Her energy and commitment levels prove she will be a leader.  Ashley began the PJC Surgical Technology program in August and will only look forward from this point.  She has displayed courage and strength, and is very worthy of this nomination.

Nineteen year old Kia Johnson dropped out of Pensacola High School during the 2006-2007 school year.  As a ninth grader, Kia had very low self-esteem and had difficulty getting along with others.  She found herself out of school and with no job skills.  Kia was referred to Mr. Ed Simpkins with the Workforce Investment Act Youth Program at the Escambia County School District in 2008.  She was assisted with enrollment in Pensacola Junior College’s GED program and as a Work Experience participant at the Beulah Black Learning Center.  Her supervisor, Carolyn Dees states “Kia is an excellent worker; I would love to hire her full-time.  Kia is very good with kids and they love her”.  The staff at Beulah Black Learning Center feels that Kia has flourished into a valued member of the staff.  Kia Johnson plans to take her GED test within the next month.  Her goal is to enroll at Pensacola Junior College in January, 2010.