Students of the Month (Aug 2007)
Reggie Long
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!
Eric Muaremi and Eric Friedenbach
Congratulations go out to Eric
Muaremi and Eric Friedenbach for
getting themselves established at
Parkland Community College in
Champaign, Illinois! Because Parkland Community College does not
have typical dorms, these fine gentlemen had the added challenge of
getting their first apartment set-up.
I know that they understand the value of the education they are receiving as the last time I made my follow up phone call, they were both studying hard. I am anxious to hear their success stories as the year progresses and they get deep into their college course work.
These first years of young adulthood are so exciting, challenging and rewarding. I am proud that these young men were part of the JILG program.