Catori wasn’t sure what to expect after transferring to Henderson County Career Academy right after the start of her junior year. Fortunately, she learned about CISNC’s Jobs for North Carolina’s Graduates (JNCG) program and found a community that encourages her. “When I first moved to this school, I didn’t have any friends, but I made my first friend through my JNCG class.”
Mr. Kelly, Catori’s JNCG Specialist, helped instill confidence in her, which challenged her to step out of her comfort zone and push herself to achieve more. That encouragement led Catori to run for President of her school’s JNCG program. After an election, Catori was selected to lead her peers. “JNCG gave me the opportunity to learn how to be a leader, how to be a listener, and how to help my community. It also taught me how to be a better person overall.”
This year, Catori competed in the Public Speaking Division of JNCG’s Annual Career Development Competition, presenting to industry leaders and JNCG Advisory Board Members. Catori placed 3rd overall. Her classmates and specialists cheered her on as she accepted her award, beaming with pride. The support she received from her JNCG community, and Specialist Mr. Kelly was an essential part of her success at the competition. “Mr. Kelly is always there for me; he’s a really nice guy. He is there when I need help with anything relating to my life, my work” she says.
Catori is excited to continue learning and growing in the JNCG program, and is already looking forward to next year. She hopes to keep her title as JNCG President, so she can continue to lead her classmates. Her goal is to invite as many students as she can to the program so they can explore local career opportunities, and develop a plan for the future. With all that she accomplished in just one year of joining JNCG, we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her senior year.