(Riverton, WY) – Local officials, business leaders, Job Corps staff, and family members joined 56 students graduating from Wind River Job Corps on Friday, Aug. 23, to celebrate National Job Corps Commencement Day.
The graduating class decided on “Anything for a Dollar” as their Class Motto, their flower was the Lotus, and their Class Song was “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys.
The Aug. 23 graduation marks the first time ever that the majority of the nation’s 124 Job Corps centers held commencement celebrations on the same day.
Job Corps is a unique national program that provides a safe environment for unemployed, undereducated, low-income youth to prepare for successful careers or further education. Approximately 60,000 students complete the Job Corps program each year at one of 124 centers across the country. Nationally, about 86% of Job Corps graduates go on to find and keep jobs continue to higher education or enlist in the military.
Center Director Matthew Davis delivered the graduation commencement speech and acknowledged the accomplishments of graduates and the support provided by staff and parents. The Career Success Director, Peter Young gave the invocation and letters from Senator Barrasso and Senator Lummis were read by the Business Engagement Coordinator Jerri Prejean. The guest speaker was our own Riverton Mayor, Tim Hancock, who delivered a wonderful congratulatory speech that filled the auditorium with laughter. Also, there were two student speakers from the Petroleum trade, Tyson Pratt and Joseph Pettigrew. During the Presentation of Diplomas Janet Bates, Academic Manager, read little tidbits for each student that walked and the Tassel Ceremony was done by Tanaya Weis, Career Training Services Director.
In attendance were Tiffany Mortimore and Pam Buline, Representatives from Senator Barrasso’s office who joined the Center Director and Business Engagement Coordinator for a tour of the Wind River Job Corps campus earlier that morning. Also, in attendance was Lindy Linn with Senator Lummis’s office.
The many memorable messages delivered from guests and staff presenters were an inspiration not only to graduates and their families but to the current students who watched the ceremony from the bleachers.
Congratulations, 2024 Wind River Job Corps Graduates. We are so proud of you.
