Penobscot Job Corps Student Headed to D.C. to Share his Story

Bangor - Ask Jason Pelletier what the future holds for him and he'll say, "The sky's the limit." But he'll also tell you that's because Penobscot Job Corps gave him the opportunity to better his life.

So when Jason had the chance to tell his story to the National Job Corps Association, he took it. With help from his teachers and the Job Corps staff, he entered the National Job Corps Student Oratory Competition. The theme was, "Job Corps works and it works for me too."

"We set up with a small little camera and I just sat down and told my story," he said.

His story includes having to drop out of high school at 16 years old in order to care for his mother who was suffering from lung problems.

"She went to the hospital with COPD. It came to a point where I needed to get education for myself so that I could get my life in order and also to help her out," said Pelletier.

Caring for his mom inspired him to enter the medical field. So he joined Job Corps and entered the Clinical Medical Assistant program. Five months later, he has a 98 average in his classes.

That story earned his spot as a finalist in the competition. He and two others were chosen from 60 entries nationwide to present in front of the U.S. congress.

"We're going to be on a grand stage. Next Tuesday morning, he's going to be speaking at a congressional breakfast with about 300 people and you will have senators, you will have congressmen, you will have district staffers and he and the other two contestants are going to share their story in front of all these people," said Mike Jellison, Business and Community Liaison at Penobscot Job Corps.

Pelletier said, "I had no idea that I would have the opportunity to share my story in this way and I'm really glad that I'm able to because it's not a unique story, there have been thousands of people whose lives have been positively impacted by Job Corps and that's what I want to bring to people's attention."

Especially the attention of those who vote for Job Corps funding and might be able to help shape the lives of other students like Jason.