12 graduate YouthBuild program
The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley YouthBuild Program Manager Michelle Phares rewards graduate Dylan Cool, left, with a diploma Thursday afternoon during a graduation ceremony at Elkins City Park. Also pictured is AmeriCorps Vista Morgan Swisher, right.
YouthBuild graduate Paige Rowan works on tie-dying masks as part of the organization’s service project at Elkins City Park Thursday.
The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley YouthBuild Program Manager Michelle Phares rewards graduate Dylan Cool, left, with a diploma Thursday afternoon during a graduation ceremony at Elkins City Park. Also pictured is AmeriCorps Vista Morgan Swisher, right.
YouthBuild graduate Paige Rowan works on tie-dying masks as part of the organization’s service project at Elkins City Park Thursday.
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The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley
YouthBuild Program Manager Michelle Phares rewards graduate Dylan Cool, left, with a diploma Thursday afternoon during a graduation ceremony at Elkins City Park. Also pictured is AmeriCorps Vista Morgan Swisher, right.
YouthBuild graduate Paige Rowan works on tie-dying masks as part of the organization's service project at Elkins City Park Thursday.
ELKINS -- YouthBuild North Central honored 12 students during a graduation ceremony Thursday afternoon at Elkins City Park.
The event is usually held indoors and welcomes family and friends to celebrate alongside the graduates, but this year's celebration was limited to students and staff only because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
YouthBuild Program Manager Michelle Phares said she is impressed with what her students have accomplished this year.
"I really want to congratulate our graduates," she said. "Even though there was a pandemic and a shutdown, they dug down deep and worked hard to make their lives better. We are very, very proud of them."
YouthBuild students also had the opportunity to work on their service project for the summer during the event. This year's project consisted of tie-dying cotton masks that will be donated throughout the community. Jennings Randolph Elementary School will receive the batch the students were working on during the graduation event.
"We are really proud of the accomplishments of this graduating class," Phares said. "Instead of staying home and not doing anything, they worked to make their lives better. They doubled on their certification numbers, and we actually built a house during the shut down. So we got a lot done and did not stop. They worked hard."
Students graduating and their accomplishments with YouthBuild included:
Nick Burns (WV High School Equivalency Diploma, HBI PAC Core certification, HBI PACT graduate of painting, OSHA 10 construction, First Aid/CPR/AED certificate, job shadow at City of Elkins, employed at RCHA, COVID Relief);
Dylan Cool (HBI PACT Core certification, HBI PACT graduate of painting, HBI PACT graduate of Carpentry, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED certificate, employed at Kroger);
Jonathan Durking (WV State certificate for Asbestos Contractor Supervisor, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED certificate);
Peyton Mutigli (WV High School Equivalency Diploma, HBI PACT Core certification, HBI PACT graduate of painting, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, certification from Garrett Community College, enrolled at Clarksburg Beauty Academy);
Trevor Poling (WV OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/Aed Certificate, state certified for Asbestos Contractor Supervisor, employed at Davis Memorial Hospital);
Sarah Ross (HBI PACT core certification, HBI PACT graduate of painting, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, certification from Garrett Community College, job shadow for City of Elkins, enrolled in Eastern WV Community and Technical College for Medical Administrative Assistant);
Paige Rowan (WV High School Equivalency Diploma, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, job shadowed at Salon Swish, working at YouthBuild to help keep building sanitized, certifications for entry level work in cosmetology, plans to attend Clarksburg Beauty Academy in Spring 2021);
Miranda Schoonover (WV High School Equivalency Diploma, HBI PACT Core certification, HBI PACT graduate in painting, OSHA 10 construction Safety, First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, Garrett College Certificate, Introduction to Veterinary Tech, employed at Wendy's);
Victoria Stewart (HBI PACT Core Certification, HBU PACT graduate of painting, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED certificate, job shadowed at Elkins Main Street and Railroad Museum, currently a VISTA working with Youth Health Service);
Mason Teter (WV High School Equivalency Diploma, WV state certification for Abestos Contractor Supervisor, OSHA 10 construction safety, First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, enrolled in Kentucky Welding Institute October 2020);
Jessica Triplett (OSHA 10 Construction Safety, First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, YouthBuild Med Prep Certificate, employed at West Virginia's Choice);
Derrick Wilson (OSHA 10 Construction Safety; First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate, employed at Tractor Supply).
YouthBuild is a non-profit organization that helps young people aged 16 to 24 develop a variety of skill sets to help create a better future for themselves. There are more than 270 YouthBuild programs in 46 states.