Instructor Penny Cody helps a student learn formatting for a Microsoft Word document as part of the Office Administration curriculum (far left).

Cherokee, NC – Students are earning certifications and increasing their employability like never before thanks to long-time Office Administration Instructor, Penny Cody. Cody has led her classes to a record number of global certifications including a student earning the highest Excel score nationwide in 2012. In the past 12 months alone, students have earned 108 Internet and Computing Core Certifications (IC3) and Microsoft Office Specialist (Word, Power Point, and Excel) certifications. Students work for months to prepare and train for the challenging exams. “On average it takes 8 to 12 months for a student to be ready, but during that time they are completing hundreds of other essential skills to be office personnel” said Cody. “I’m just so proud of them”. A Bryson City native, Cody has helped students who come from both local areas and across the southeast to Cherokee, NC to receive industry and workforce training.

 Shenika Jackson, working building an advanced Excel spreadsheet, understands the importance of global certifications in tough economic times. “Each skill I learn helps show future employers that I am trained, qualified, and ready to work at a high level” she said. Jackson has also volunteered over 150 hours in unpaid internships and work-based learning to build her resume. “It is great experience and I know so much more about customer service. I’m really confident now”.

 Over the years, Cody has seen hundreds of graduates complete the program and go on to successful careers in customer service, general reception, and office administration. “I still keep in contact if I can. I think it’s important to celebrate the successes that have made a complete life change for my students” she said. “It’s what Job Corps is all about- changing lives”. Office Administration is offered through Southwestern Community College at the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC campus. 

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Picture and article by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist.

A helicopter drops incendiary devices to assist the burn (top left). Fire visible on a steep slope (bottom left). Forestry Conservation and Wildland Firefighting students monitor fire activity in the burn area (lright).

Almond, NC – The U.S. Forest Service conducted a prescribed burn April 10^th, 2013 on about 800 acres in the Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest. Students from the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Forestry Conservation and Wildland Firefighting program were on hand to help burn out road line and watching for spot fires as the fire evolved throughout the day. They joined local USFS staff as well as the Asheville Hotshots and Davidson River Initial Attack Crew.

“I’m really excited to be here” said student Hilario Faria. “Seeing it first-hand today, I’ve learned a lot about fire behavior and how to work as an integrated team with other firefighters and leaders.”

Prescribed burns reduce the amount of fuel on the forest floor, preventing catastrophic wildfire and reducing risks to nearby communities. Burns also improve habitat for fire-adapted species.  Fire has been a part of these natural areas for thousands of years and played an important role in keeping forests healthy. Overall, prescribed burns allow the agency to safely use fire on its terms. The burns act as a cleaning agent, thinning out leaves and woody debris, and making neighborhoods safer and forests healthier.

Low- to medium-intensity prescribed burns offer benefits such as:

• Reducing woody debris and hazardous fuels that could contribute to high-severity fires.
• Reducing the frequency of destructive fires that could threaten communities.
• Healthier, more diverse and more resilient forests.
• Promoting more desirable fire-tolerant native plants, such oaks that provide food for wildlife.
• Restoring threatened plants and communities, such as table mountain pine and mountain golden heather.
• Reducing forest pests, such as southern pine beetle, and non-native plants.

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Pictures and article in-part by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist. Article text also from ‘Restoring Fire to the Mountains’ at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/home/?cid=stelprdb5407778

HBI Facilities Maintenance student, Leroy Payne-Drake, paints a replaced picket on the deck railing (left). Newly restored decks on Balsam Lodge on the Nantahala National Forest (top right). Map of Balsam Lodge near Cashiers, NC (bottom right).

Cashiers, NC – Nestled deep in the mountains between Sylva and Cashiers, the scenic USFS Balsam Lodge is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year with a make-over. Throughout the summer and fall, exterior portions of the Lodge have been being restored thanks to the student HBI Carpentry and Facilities Maintenance crews from the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC. Thom Saylors, Recreation Staff Officer, with the Nantahala National Forest was excited to see the project come to life. “There are lots of things that need rehabilitation or upgrades every year across the forest. Balsam Lodge sees lots of visitors every year so it is great to see the work being done to make it better.”

 Students have spent over 260 hours doing everything from installing hundreds of new decking pickets to extensive painting and pressure washing patios. Partnership projects between the forest and the Job Corps allow students to learn essential skills in a real world environment while assisting the forest with labor needs. Learning those skills is often most challenging in an older structure like the Lodge. “Rehabilitation projects or older buildings always present their own challenges because you have use analytical skills meld to old and new components together for a cohesive look and functionality” says Oconaluftee’s HBI Facilities Maintenance Instructor, Aleta Haynes. Student Leroy Payne-Drake agrees. “We had to be extra careful to protect existing stonework and concrete from paint and other damage”. Payne-Drake is happy to have this project under his built as he hopes to one day lead a maintenance crew at large residential facility.

Students also learned how to repair surfaces for proper paint finishing, material storage safety, use of portable power tools, and how to work in a seven person crew. Employability skills like following directions, transitioning from task to task, and working to identify and correct mistakes are also a huge part of work projects out in the field. “Our mission is to provide career training and assist in the conservation national public resources- this project accomplishes both” Oconaluftee’s Liaison Specialist, Holly Krake, says. “By working with the great staff of the Nantahala Ranger District, our students are able to gain both the hard and soft skills that will carry them throughout their career”. For more information on Balsam Lodge and other recreation opportunities on the Nantahala National Forest, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc. The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Article and pictures by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist.

Roy Taylor Forest sign in Nantahala National Forest (left). HBI Carpentry student, Ryan Sullivan, carefully measures the cut on a picket (right).

Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Forestry Conservation students work together as a crew to drill holes for rebar, level steps, and dig footers as steps are being built along Santeetlah Creek in Robbinsville, NC (left). Student, Jay Williams, learns about pottery found on site from USFS Archeologist, Andrew Triplett (top right). Santeetlah Creek in Robbinsville, NC (bottom right).

Cherokee, NC – Each year, thousands of volunteers across the country participate in the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in America, National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Locally, students and staff of the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC contributed over 250 hours of service on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests as a part of 2012 NPLD. Entrusted with over 1.2 million acres, the National Forests of North Carolina have many special places that thrive on volunteer service for sustained recreation, education, and preservation.

Working side by side with staff from the Cheoah Ranger District, students worked on building five access points to Santeetlah Creek for anglers at the Rattler Ford Group Campground. Additionally, the Cheoah hosts a kids fishing day event at the site each year. “These new steps dramatically improve access for campground users and visitors. Thousands of visitors a year will benefit from this effort” said District Forestry Technician, Jeremy Waite. Forestry Conservation students returned for a second day to put in retaining walls and construct pads for new ADA accessible picnic spots at the popular Massey Branch area along US 143. Student Robert Timms appreciates the opportunity to protect and improve public lands. “I’m learning new techniques I’ll use on a job someday, but I’m also building something that will be here for generations… it feels great” he said.

In another NPLD volunteer project, HBI Facilities Maintenance students and Instructor Aleta Haynes, worked with the national Cradle of Forestry in America in the Pisgah National Forest to enhance public facilities there. For over 100 years, visitors have been coming to the Cradle to learn about conservation and forest resources but the work is always on-going. To support these efforts, the students volunteered on a conservation project to increase weed suppression for converting turf grass into wildflower meadows as well as general landscaping maintenance. Devin Gentry, Education and Outreach Specialist for the Cradle of Forestry In America Interpretive Association, was thankful for the volunteer support. “The crew was great and we got a lot accomplished. I’d love to have them back in the future” he said.

More information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC is available at oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

 Article and pictures by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist.

Forestry Conservation student sawyer, Carrie Oszterling, bucks a fallen tree (left). Nantahala NF Cheoah RD Forestry Technician, Jeremy Waite (red helmet), helps teach Forestry Conservation students proper trench construction techniques as they learn first hand how to prepare for a prescribed fire (right).

Bryson City, NC – Deep in the Nantahala Gorge, Forestry Conservation students from the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC partnered with local Forest Service fire staff to put in miles of hand dug fire line through the forest. Tackling steep slopes of over 60 percent, students used specialized wildland fire hand tools such as the Pulaski and McCloud to construct the line down to bare mineral soil in eight inch deep trenches. With many years of wildland fire experience, Cheoah Ranger District Assistant Fire Management Officer, Randall Sellers, knows how important this task is. “Establishing a good fire line is essential to having a burn go as we want. Difficult terrain and fuel types force a wildland fire fighter to adapt his or her approach as they go” said Sellers.

For students, the experience provides an excellent hands-on training in some of the day to day field work done in the Forest Service. As part of Oconaluftee’s Forestry program, all students have a goal to complete 360 work-based learning hours using the skills and certifications they have earned. Many are also put in challenging leadership positions that mirror real world situations. “In this project I’m a squad boss over three other students so I have to work the line, motivate others, and watch out for safety hazards all at the same time. I’ve never had this kind of responsibility before and I’m learning it can be tough but great- this stuff is important” said Forestry student Jake Brock.

In addition to student training, collaborative work planning like this is a benefit to everyone involved with the process. Oconaluftee’s Liaison Specialist, Holly Krake, is a strong supporter of these types of projects. “I just love it when this happens because everybody wins. Students learn first hand, the Ranger District receives assistance, and the public interfaces become more protected and fire-wise” she said. In total, over 300 man-hours were spent building this one section of line in preparations for a successful prescribed fire.    

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Forestry Conservation students dig into tough root bundles to construct the 8in deep trench in the Nantahala Gorge. The trench was necessary to protect human structures from possible rolling material during the burn in the steep terrain (left). Students gather for a group photo after a hard days work digging fireline with R8 Nantahala NF Cheoah RD staff (right).

Article and pictures by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist.

Graduates proudly wait for the announcement to move their tassels from right to left as graduates. Students shown completed a career program in Office Administration, Health Occupations, Forestry Conservation and Wildland Firefighting, Carpentry, or Facilities Maintenance (Left). Graduates A. Mitchell and S. Green celebrate their accomplishments (right).

 Cherokee, NC – Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center joined 125 other Job Corps centers across the country to celebrate the second annual ‘National Job Corps Commencement Day’. Held on Friday August 24th, 2012, the local ceremony congratulated 20 students who graduated the program this year with successful education and career training in everything from Forestry Conservation to Office Administration.

At the Oconaluftee JCCCC, these young adults aged 16-24 were offered a set of diverse academic opportunities and career pathways tailored to meet the needs of today’s business and industry. Nationally each year, thousands of youth are given a second chance to complete their education and advance into careers, higher education or the military. Program graduates then return to their local area as active contributors to the economic and social fabric of the community much like the original CCC work programs of the 1930’s. US Senator (D-NC), Kay Hagan, wrote to Oconaluftee’s graduates “I don’t have to tell you that our country is facing hard economic times. This day showcases to the community, employers, and tax payers that the Job Corps program is one of the nation’s most effective career preparation programs… our focus must once again be on progress and job creation”.

Mark Shriver, the son of Job Corps founder Sargent Shriver, congratulated the 60,000 students who graduated from Job Corps across the country this year. “Job Corps is a great investment for the American people,” Shriver said in a special nationwide video address delivered in front of the United States Capitol. “Your commitment and dedication to get good-paying jobs make Job Corps the most successful federal training program serving your age group.”

Graduate, Ashley Mitchell, understands this first hand. “I know good jobs are out there- I just have to be willing to run after the opportunity with everything I’ve got. I volunteered hundreds of hours this year for that one extra good reference and bullet point on my resume”. Mitchell graduated from the Forestry Conservation and Wildland Firefighting program.

Shriver ended his video address by passing along advice from his father and Job Corps founder Sargent Shriver: “Just keep working hard. Something good will happen.” Oconaluftee’s graduates are proof of that including 1997 Oconaluftee JCCCC graduate and keynote graduation speaker, Jennifer Charand. Charand completed the Health Occupations program and is now a successful Senior Program Manager with Aetna Healthcare in Georgia.

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Over 200 family, students, staff, and community members attend the 2012 National Commencement Day (Left). Graduate J. Williams is proud of his efforts (Center). Field Representative, Randy Flack, addresses graduates on behalf of US Congressman (D-NC) Heath Shuler (Right).

Article and pictures by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist.

WCU's Adam Griffith, shares with student, Vernon Kelly, how new rivercane grows (center). Traditional Cherokee rivercane basket (top right). Student, Samson Richardson, hand pulls invasives in the rivercane stand (bottom right).

Cherokee, NC – A whole new group of youth are getting a cultural and environmental education in Cherokee these days. In the early morning light, 15 students look for the first time at a traditional Cherokee rivercane basket and marvel at the colors and detail. WCU’s Adam Griffith of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines passes the basket around as he explains the cultural and ecological significance of rivercane. “Since we started the Rivercane Restoration Project in 2006, I have just gotten more and more impressed with this native plant. It knows how deep it is in the soil- how cool is that?!” he says with a grin. And while education is essential, Griffith and the Forestry Conservation class from the Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center came to this newer transplant site for some hard labor.

After a crash course in new rivercane growth, other native plants, and common invasives, students got to work hand pulling a spring’s worth of choking weeds from around each clump of rivercane. With handfuls of clovers in his hand, student Samson Richardson shared “it’s good to take care of this resource and protect it. After today, I’ll look outside and wonder what plants should be there and what shouldn’t”. His huge armful of clover and grass is added to the growing pile. Griffith is encouraged by educational moments like these. “If there were ever a plant that needed a public relations campaign this would be it. The local region still loses several healthy stands a year to development or simple lack of information on the ecological benefits”.

Although this particular stand near the Cherokee Central Schools is still at least eight years from being harvest ready, it is an investment in the future. Future students and basket wavers alike will come here to learn and use this native plant. To learn more about the WCU Rivercane Studies or to get involved, visit www.wcu.edu/28242. More information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC is available at oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Master Carpenter, Randy Moore, places another plank on the decking while HBI Carpentry Instructor, Leonard Holden, looks on (top left). Carpentry student, Michael Bodwitch, hammers in a nail on the pin wheel turn of the boardwalk (bottom right).

Murphy, NC – Matching a special star head bit in yet another decking screw, student Ryan Sullivan, put in the final pieces to a ‘pin wheel’ turn on a new section on the Murphy River Walk boardwalk. Designed and built on top of an old road bed, the new boardwalk will allow the community access to riparian habitat and Lake Hiawassee shoreline that was previously unreachable as water levels rose each year. The entire area is an ongoing 8 year conservation and education partnership project between the Walk, Town of Murphy, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

The Carpentry program from the Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is excited about the chance to support this important work. “This is a great teaching project for the students” said HBI Carpentry Instructor, Leonard Holden. “But the work will benefit the community for years to come”. Project master carpenter and local contractor, Randy Moore, agrees. “The Walk is a huge asset to us all- to have healthy access to sensitive riparian areas allow people to understand and appreciate them”.

Moore, Holden, and 15 students worked on the 300’ length of decking from the ground up- literally. Repurposing part of an old TVA road, they cut 10 foot planks and used saw cut 6×6 posts in the over 600 labor hours donated to the project. This also brought a good lesson in using the natural and existing environment to advantage in building. “On site, we’re working in the shadow of a decades old railroad bridge and bring new life into it” said student Trenton Newkirk.

Sullivan came to the Oconaluftee JCCCC from West Virginia to learn carpentry skills and put those skills to use. “Personally I know that I’m capable of doing this in the future… I mean, this is the biggest thing I’ve ever built and I’m ready to do another one” he said with a smile. However, the work of conservation is never finished and is always looking for new champions. After eight years, the Walk is a growing project and already heavily used by the community. Many who use the trail system may not have access or ability to use traditional hiking trails. To volunteer time or skills with the Murphy River Walk, contact Project Manager, John Strawn, at strawn@directv.net. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

From left: M.E. Smith,  Center Director, USDA Forest Service, Oconaluftee JCCCC, North Carolina, Tom Tidwell, Chief, USDA Forest Service, and Holly Krake, USDA Forest Service, Oconaluftee JCCCC, North Carolina. Smith and Krake received the 2012 MLK Drum Major for Service Award at the USDA National Service Day in Washington, D.C.

CHEROKEE, NC – The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center recently received one of only twelve 2012 MLK Drum Major for Service Awards from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This award is the highest national service award offered by the USDA and represents a tremendous commitment to improving the lives of others through community engagement. In a famous 1968 speech, Marin Luther King Jr. related “everyone can be great, because everyone can serve”. In western North Carolina this ideal lives strong as Oconaluftee’s youth spent thousands of hours serving in everything from tribal children’s trout fishing with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to on-going natural resource restoration work for the Nantahala National Forest.

“Oconaluftee places great emphasis on service as each and every volunteer hour spent is an integral part of Job Corp’s Work Based Learning program” said Liaison Specialist, Holly Krake. Each student has a goal of 360 hours in the course of their studies- hours directly related to their training, the community, and special projects. Krake continued by adding “In the sprit of the Forest Service mission to care for the land and serve the people, Oconaluftee works hard to instill the mindset of community engagement, personal activism, and social transformation”.

To these ends, Oconaluftee made a great impact in numerous lives, communities, and counties throughout the past year. In the 2011 calendar year, Oconaluftee students and staff logged over 14,000 hours of volunteer service work across 9 counties, 3 federal agencies, and 30 community partners. Furthermore, in a time of budget constraints and economic woes, these hours equal over $200,000 dollars in donated labor cost to western North Carolina. Projects like riparian buffer trails and campground rehabilitation to fighting food insecurity at food banks, special olympics, national public lands day, and tribal childcare education all highlight Oconaluftee’s dedication to furthering the work of cultural transformation through service. Many of these individual service stories are highlighted with in Oconaluftee’s blog at www.jobcorpsnews.org/oconaluftee

However, the work of a volunteer is never finished. “While the project may end, the vision never dies- much as Martin Luther King Jr’s vision of cultural transformation continues today” said Center Director, M.E. Smith. “We are so honored to receive this award and will only strive to do more”. At Oconaluftee, thousands of work plan hours have already been developed for 2012 in volunteer service.

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Center Director, M.E. Smith, and Recreation Specialist, Alta Johnson, congradulate the winning Velva Powell Team (left). Oconaluftee Lady Bears celebrate second place in the tournament (top right). Members of the Travis Climbingbear Team pose with their trophy (bottom left).

CHEROKEE, NC – The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center recently hosted its Second Annual Fall Basketball and Volleyball Tournament.  The invitational basketball tournament was accepted by several local community teams as well as other Job Corps teams.  It was a day filled with sportsmanship, excitement, community, and high flying basketball games. As a special part of the basketball tournament, the Oconaluftee Recreation Department also hosted a ‘Hot Shot’ shoot out.  One player from each team shot in this fierce competition requiring players to face off against each other while showcasing their individual talents. Overall the two players with the most points went into a ‘sudden death’ round filled with lots of 3-point and difficult long range shots.  The overall winner in this special competition, Brandon Bark, represented the Jason Saunooke Team of Cherokee, NC. The ‘Hot Shot’ runner-up was Davion Smith, HBI – Carpentry student at Oconaluftee JCCCC. The overall winner of the tournament was the Travis Climbingbear Team of Cherokee, NC.  Winning team members included Kyle Lossiah, AJ Welch, Storm Sequoyah, John “Rooster” Crowe, Mike Welch, Jack Smith, and Travis Climbingbear.    

On the same weekend, Oconaluftee JCCCC hosted its Second Annual Fall Volleyball Tournament with six teams participating from three states.  Team that participated included Schenck and LBJ JCCCC (NC), Jacobs Creek JCCCC (TN), and Atlanta JC (GA), as well as the Velva Powell Team of Cherokee (NC).  The level of competition was high as teams traded hard to hit serves and spikes. Oconaluftee’s Recreation Specialist, Alta Johnson, noted that there was great sportsmanship as well. “I saw teams supporting each other, working together, and laughing in good fun. We would like to thank all the players, teams, and coaches for their participation. This is Community in Action”. 

The winner of this year’s tournament for the second year in a row was the Velva Powell Team of Cherokee, NC.  The team members included Velva Powell, Krystle Bolden, Qiana Powell, Tahnee Arkansas, and Brianna Lambert.  Brianna Lambert is a graduate of the Oconaluftee JCCCCs Office Administration program.  “We are glad that Brianna has graduated and continues to work with the students and her community to assist with recreational activities on the center” said Oconaluftee Center Director M.E. Smith.  Oconaluftee’s Lady Bears Volleyball Team placed second overall in this tournament.  “We are very proud of our students for their hard work both on and off the court” said Smith. “Our community and fellow Job Corps Centers are important to our continued success and we appreciate their support in these tournaments”. 

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov