WIOA Out-of-School Youth Graduates and Enrolls in Marine Tech Program
When WIOA Youth Case Manager AJ Stibitz met Anthony Lowe, Lowe was not attending school. He was eighteen, was behind in credits, and didn’t have transportation. His family was having trouble making end meet.
In the WIOA Youth Program, Anthony got to participate in four trips to Lansing (one for Legislative Day, one for Leadership Day and two times at the Career Development Conference). In creating the school garden, Anthony showed great leadership. He also successfully communicated with officials during JMG’s Legislative Day.
With guidance from AJ, Anthony successfully and consistently held a job through high school. He obtained a job in Mackinaw working as a night auditor at a hotel and completed many courses his senior year to graduate. At the age of 21, Anthony graduated from Presque Isle Academy. After completing the necessary financial aid paperwork, Anthony is now enrolled at Alpena Community College in the Marine Tech Program and will start in the Fall of 2018.
“Well here I am... I'm now finally graduated,” says Anthony. “I feel like I've been holding out for this day longer than most. I'm 21 and graduated, finally. I don't know what to say honestly. This is all just so much for me to take in. Thank you to everyone who supported me through all of this.”