District I's Locke High School's DOTS and WIA Offices Collaborate To Recognize Student Workers

Brenda McKindra and Terri Kirkland
Transition Teachers

On Thursday, May 6, 2004, Locke High School's District Office of Transition Services and the WIA Work Experience Office (Cherona DeMesma and Simone Lowe) collaborated together to honor the high school seniors who participated in school based work programs such as WorkAbility I, Work Based Assessment, Workforce Investment Act, and Exploratory Work Experience, as well as the members of the Job Club. The Honorable H. Kirkland Jones, the Commissioner of the Kenyon Juvenile Court, and Dr. Corina Ramirez, a resident dentist at UCLA's community outreach clinic, were the guest speakers.

The speakers' format was a panel interview in which the students asked the guests questions regarding their childhood backgrounds, education, careers and future goals. The speakers shared with the audience what motivated them to finish high school and college. The speakers emphasized the importance of community service once they reached their career goals.

Judge H. Kirkland Jones and Dr. Corina Ramirez grew up in similar communities as the student population of Locke High School and shared similar childhood experiences. Their message was not to let anything stop the students from reaching their academic and career goals. Both speakers made powerful impacts on the students and staff.