ASU bookstore participates in the Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Academy program

Things could have turned out very differently for Jesse Wilkes. The 19-year-old high school dropout from Warner Robins was headed down a completely different path when the chance to participate in a life changing program came up.

Jesse, who never thought he'd even have the opportunity to attend college, saw his luck change when he was accepted into the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy, a program designed to provide Georgia's youth with academic and life skills training.

Through Jesse's participation in the program at Fort Gordon, this summer he's getting his first exposure to a college campus at ASU thanks to Pam Lightsey, assistant director of the bookstore.

At ASU, Jesse and Jordan Simerson of Metter, another cadet in the program, are putting in hard work at the bookstore. They’ve also worked in other campus departments, helping out wherever they’re needed.

"It's hard work, but it's taught me a lot of discipline," Mr. Wilkes says.

"This is something I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do," he says. "For me, it was a good opportunity to get a new start."

"This is an opportunity for us to encourage them to go on to school," Ms. Lightsey says. "They have to make the change. For me, it’s also a way to expose them to college life."

The job-shadowing phase of the program generally lasts for 4-6 weeks. The academy aims to improve the cadets' employment potential and create productive citizens. To enroll in the program, teens must be between the ages of 16-18, be a high school dropout, be unemployed or underemployed, drug free, and free from any legal trouble.

Ms. Lightsey participates in the program though her membership in the Augusta South Rotary Club, which also raises funds for two $1,000 college scholarships for cadets who complete the program. The club also donates money for a ring from the academy for one cadet.

Other stories: Fall Convocation | A Day | Faculty members assume administrative roles | Week of Welcome and New Student Convocation | Construction Update | Lyceum Schedule | Watson named manager | ASU ID cards | Whiting and tradition of India | ASU bookstore Youth Challenge | ARTSTOR | Campus Notables and News Briefs | July Photographic Review 1|  Photo Review 2 | August Calendar | Birthdays | Employee Spotlight | Office Visit | Quiz