The Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center welcomed Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton as its keynote speaker for graduation ceremonies at the center Friday, Aug. 26. The ceremonies were part of the National Job Corps Commencement Day celebration.

Hampton, the first African-American to be elected to hold statewide office in Kentucky, focused on opportunity in her message to the 37 graduates who attended the ceremonies. "There is always opportunity to improve your

	Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton speaks with students Nathaniel Cornett and Nickolaus Argetsinger

process, to make things better," Hampton told graduates. She also urged them to "get out of your comfort zone, be able to work with many people, working together toward a common goal." Hampton also stressed the importance of lifelong learning, encouraging graduates to "keep learning, and thank people along the way who have inspired or assisted you in some way."

Hampton's comments stem from her personal experiences. She was born in inner-city Detroit into a financially humble household. Despite watching her mother struggle to raise four girls, Hampton knew she was blessed to live in a nation where people could rise from poverty. After earning an Industrial Engineering degree in 1985, Hampton joined the U.S. Air Force as a computer systems officer, writing computer code and testing software. Her seven years of military service included a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. After her military career she began a 10-year career in the corrugated packaging industry.

 
More than 85 family and community members attended the graduation and reception. During the reception Hampton talked with each graduate and his or her families.

Carl D. Perkins Job Corps' most recent graduates include: McKayla Adkins, from Tampa, FL, completed high school, Security & Protective Services; Constance Armstrong, from Titusville, FL, completed high school, Culinary; Rayquan Baker, from Fayetteville, NC, completed high school, Security & Protective Services; Mohamed Bangura, from Philadelphia, PA, completed Facility Maintenance; Ashley Bays, from David, KY, completed Office Administration; Dylan Brescianai, from Bradenton, FL, completed Culinary; Ryan Carter, from Martinsburg, WV, completed Security & Protective Services; Trey Davis, from Prestonsburg, KY, completed Carpentry; Shimeka Drummer, from Brooksville, FL, completed high school, Electrical; James East, from Louisville, KY, completed Facility Maintenance; Keondre Elie, from Sanford, FL, completed Electrical; KeChante Fuller, from Lexington, KY, completed Office Administration; Kayla Gibson, from Richmond, KY, completed Security & Protective Services; Sara Gibson, from Georgetown, KY, completed high school, Office Administration; Cody Gully, from Morehead, KY, completed Security & Protective Services; China Hall, from Ashland, KY, completed Office Administration; Diego Hall, from Morehead, KY, completed high school, Carpentry; Johnathan Heathcock, from Sanford, FL, completed Carpentry and Facilities Maintenance; Joanna Martinez Helton, from Georgetown, KY, completed Office Administration; Alec Hernandez, from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, completed high school, Carpentry; Cierra Holder, from Stanton, KY, completed high school, Office Administration; Destiny Jude, from Williamson, WV, completed Office Administration; Christian Lyons, from Plant City, FL, completed Culinary; Johnny Marple, from Crittenden, KY, completed Facilities Maintenance; Tyler Meade, from Prestonsburg, KY, completed Security & Protective Services; Jimmy Milan, from Hopkinsville, KY, completed Security & Protective Services and Office Administration; Brooklyn Molly, from Richmond, KY, completed high school, Culinary; Fred Mosley, from Arindere, FL, completed high school, Culinary; Gei Naing, from Bowling Green, KY, completed high school, Electrical; Samantha Niece, from Whitesburg, KY, completed high school, Carpentry; Pascal Niyonzima, from Louisville, KY, completed high school, Electrical; Paul Rader, from Waco, KY, completed high school, Culinary; Justin Salcedo, from Deland, FL, completed high school, Electrical; David Scarbrough, from Corbin, KY, completed high school, Culinary; Elizabeth Sheer, from Richmond, KY, completed Security & Protective Services; Grace Shupert, from Louisville, KY, completed Office Administration; Tyra Smith, from Richmond, KY, completed high school, Office Administration; Trevon Sniffen, from Daytona Beach, FL, completed high school, Carpentry; Anthony Sykes, from Daytona Beach, FL, completed Carpentry; and Kenneth Michael Webb, from David, KY, completed Carpentry.