Carl D. Perkins Job Corps student Adrian Rucker receives more than he could have hoped for, in the last year high school diploma, trade completion and a new path in life.

17 year old Perkins student Adrian Rucker, the youngest of three children began his journey traveling from Ft.Lauderdale Fl, One year ago at the age of 16. Adrian stated that he came to Perkins, due to having issues at his former school, not wanting to go, hanging out with friends and not really caring or trying.
I asked Adrian how hard was it to be 16 and 1,000 miles from his family. Adrian said that he really missed his family when he got here, but said he wanted to give Job Corps a try and that when he got here that he found himself, with the same attitude that he had in his old school. Until one day, his Culinary Instructor Mr. terry Marrs, set down with him one on one and talked with him about his behavior, and future. Adrian said that this was the changing point for him, that he gives “Chef” the credit as to his success here at Perkins. If it had not been Chef sitting me down and talking on that day, I feel that I would have been sent home, for behavior issues.

Adrian is now one of the top Culinary students, and has already accomplished extensive off center Work based Learning at the Big Sandy Technical & Community College,  where he will be attending in the fall of 2013.

The 2nd part of Adrian’s journey has been to get in better health. Adrian, stated since being at Perkins, he has had access to the gym and working out has been a major part of his after hours activities. Adrian has lost 41 pounds, since being at Perkins, and stated he will continue to eat well and exercise and that he is totally motivated now, and knows that good health goes hand in hand with success in all areas of your life.

In closing, Adrian said that the best feeling of all is having his mother say “She is proud of him”.