Program aims to turn students into employees

Students are selected based on income guidelines and applications.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dominick Brown of Youngstown is starting the school year with one less thing to worry about.
The senior at The Rayen School has passed his final section of the state proficiency tests.
That math exam was tough, he said, but he credits the Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association for helping to pull him through.
"I have all that burden off of me now," said Brown, who earned a perfect attendance award at a ceremony Friday of the MCTA Summer Youth Employment Program.
"It's taught me to work in different atmospheres and become a better person," he said of the program.
Job placement
Dozens of students participated in this year's employment program, which places students in jobs throughout the community. Those who also need an academic boost, or have yet to pass state-mandated proficiency tests, take classes during a portion of the work day.
Besides taking proficiency courses, Dominick worked in the human resources department at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Sierra Simmons, who attended Woodrow Wilson High School last school year, is starting her junior year at Boardman High School.
She too needed to pass one section of the proficiency exams -- science.
"I tried so hard," she said, with a bright smile. "And when I passed, I passed with honors."
Sierra also earned perfect attendance honors. The proficiency test classes, she said, met from 8 to 10 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays. She worked for the remainder of each day, and on Fridays.
She first had a job in maintenance at Cleveland Elementary School, then worked at a preschool and day care in Youngstown.
"It taught you determination, that you can do anything you put your mind to," she said of the experience. "I feel responsible, confident about what's going on in the work world, not scared to try new things."
Tonya Hawkins, youth services coordinator of the MCTA, said the academic courses are required of students who want to work but have not passed all five sections of the state-mandated proficiency tests.
Students ages 21 and younger work for eight weeks and are selected for jobs based on income guidelines and applications they submit.
"It gives them something to do ... it keeps them active for the summer," she said. "They earn some money and get exposed to different businesses and different areas in the community."
Hawkins, who participated in the program herself when she was teen-ager, said she hopes the program gives students an edge in today's difficult job market.
"Hopefully you'll be able to develop some skills," she told the students, "and you'll be able to go out in this economy and find yourself employed."
Award winners were: All Star Worker -- Ryan Bailey, Latrina Howell, Jamilaa Humphrey, Joshua Jones, Eric Jordan, Lissette LaSalle, Derrick Maddox, Crystal May, Travelle McElroy, Jamie Pack, Anthony Patterson, Samuel Rodriguez, Shawn Stevens, Chrishyra Whitfield.
Most Improved Worker -- Imani Alexander, Kahilia Alexander, Tiffany Artis, Robin Bell, Cierra Clark, Shade Dodson, Latefa Farmer, Tarane Gibbs, Amber Hollinger, James Jackson, Jennifer Johnston, Leah Perry, Janay Veal, Taren Wesson.
Best Math -- Imani Alexander.
Best Reading -- Robin Bell.
Overall Classroom Performance -- Chrishyra Whitfield.
Most Improved Academic -- Alexandria Cohill, Sierra Woods.