The four year journey through high school was not easy for recent T.F. North graduate Reggie Long (featured on the left in the picture.) Like many seniors Reggie lacked motivation in his classes, always being told he wasn?t working to his full potential. Finally, in his senior year he knew it was time to buckle down if he wanted to receive his diploma. At the beginning of the school year Reggie laid out a plan on how he was going to get through the last nine months of his high school career. With all of the obstacles Reggie faced, he decided he had to take small steps in the effort to earn his diploma. Finally in May, Reggie did what he set out to do…graduate high school! According to Reggie, he couldn’t have done so without the support of his family, friends, his dean Ms. Villa, and the JILG program… he says the JILG program helped to,” keep me on my work and focused.”
As a part of his follow up in July Reggie still didn’t know exactly what he was going to do now that he graduated. He was unemployed and looking for a job. He knew he had to do something other than just hang out in the streets. He met with his career specialists and discussed available options. A traditional college setting was not a good fit for Reggie, especially since he struggled to make it through high school. However, he did have an interest in the field of heating and air conditioning. His specialist suggested taking a tour at ETI (Environmental Technical Institute) in Blue Island, one tour was all it took…Reggie registered for classes and began on September 17th. He is very excited about his decision! The program is 5 days a week and the best part is he will be done by April 2008. To make matters even better he will be working at UPS while attending classes. Congratulations Reggie!
