Outstanding Performance by WIA Youth Customers

North Region

Lindsy Homer, 18, sought services at Futures Through Training (WIA). Her goal was to graduate from high school and enter college. She has completed four summer work opportunities were she earned "Excellent" marks on her evaluations. She graduated from Ogden High School in June 2003 and earned a 4.00 GPA during her last quarter of school. She has enrolled in Weber State University for the Fall semester.

Michael Yows, 20, an in-school younger youth when he entered the program, his objective was to graduate from high school. Mike has overcome his basic skills deficiency to graduate from high school and complete his Dental Assisting certification. Mike is excited to begin work on his degree at Weber State University where he plans to become a dentist.

Central Region

Sandir Jarovic, 20, YES program, out-of-school older youth, a refugee from Bosnia arrived in Salt Lake City with his mother and father in June 2001. Sandir overcame several barriers including lack of documentation to prove his education from Bosnia and limited English proficiency to become a successful young man in the career field of diesel mechanics. He is now certified in over 40 areas in Heavy Duty Mechanics and has obtained numerous Diesel Mechanics certifications. He is currently working at Mountain West Truck Center.

Mountainland Region

Gabe Allred, 20, WIA Youth Customer, is in the process of overcoming his barriers by having earned his high school diploma and completing a kitchen internship. Gabe landed an internship with Payson City Offices working with both the Human Resources and Accounting departments. He was offered a temporary position with the city and plans to attend UVSC to purse and accounting degree.

Southeast Region

Jessica Molinar, 16, WIA younger in school youth, had multiple barriers and a GPA of 2.1. She got involved in the after school tutoring and mentoring program and the next term she earned straight A’s. She has continued to excel in school and socially. She completed a summer internship at the Carbon County Children’s Justice Center. Jessica wants to go to medical school and become a pediatrician.

Robert "Cody" Pike, 20, WIA Program, overcoming multiple barriers including a Bilateral Inguinal Hernia, wants to become self-sufficient, is working towards his GED and wants to further his education. Cody did an internship at the Pinnacle Canyon Academy School where he worked with children in their summer school program. The principal liked his so will he hired Cody permanently.

Uintah Basin

Katy Potter, 14, WIA Youth Program, a straight A student, was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a cancer that strikes youth in 2002. Halfway through her treatment, she moved from South Carolina to Utah in August of 2002. She continued her treatment and worked at home to complete her schooling. After her treatment she was allowed to return to Union High School in Roosevelt where she continues her education. Katy participated in the June 2003 youth WIA project where she and others planned and implemented a youth leadership and service project cleaning benches and stairs and painting garbage cans at the Roosevelt City Park.

Western Region

Amy Relf, 18, WIA Youth Program, overcame multiple barriers, including being placed in foster care when she was 15 years old. Amy received an internship through WinField Kids at the Department of Workforce Services. In March of 2003, May turned 18 and her foster child financial grant ended and she became solely dependent on her youth internship as income. She paid rent, bought groceries and still saved enough money to buy a used car. Amy received her high school diploma in May of 2003 and has received a full tuition scholarship to Dixie College for her first year of college.