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Carnegie Program Has 1st Graduates At South County Career Center

Photo by Dennis Stafford

Elinor Peraza, 18, received the Highest Achievement Award for consistently using the principles she learned and applied in the Dale Carnegie Generation Next program at South County Career Center.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: April 8, 2009

RUSKIN - They came one by one to the front of the room to give brief talks about what they had learned.

That would have been unimaginable just nine weeks earlier.

Ranging from age from 16 to 18, the 22 South County Career Center students stood before their peers, families and school administrators with a newfound sense of pride, poise and self-esteem. They had just completed a Dale Carnegie program, and they knew it was quite an achievement.

After meeting once weekly for a three-hour class with no desks and only a five-minute break, the teens were honored for their perseverance. Each received an engraved plaque, in addition to kudos all around.

"This is the only full-fledged Generation.Next course offered in-house in the Tampa Bay area," said Barron Johnson, the course instructor. "It's all about improving their communication, people and leadership skills, managing their attitudes and giving them greater self-confidence."

Johnson said the students did well, despite their unique circumstances.

"I am impressed," he said. "These kids are dealing with things many adults find difficult to handle. Most did not create the trouble they come out of.

"We simply gave them the tools and environment," Johnson said. "But they took the risk of opening themselves up."

The career center is an alternative high school offering nontraditional education for students whose needs cannot be met in a traditional high school. Distinct in its teaching approach and classroom environment, the center works with students who might otherwise drop out of a conventional setting.

Listening to the presentations, Sherri Sikes, Area V director for the School District of Hillsborough County, couldn't have been prouder.

"I think the Dale Carnegie program is wonderful," she said. "It gives these students a solid sense of self and the confidence to achieve all their dreams."

"Even though you're nervous about doing something, you need to approach it anyway," said Jimmy Marquis, 18. "You never know you can do something if you don't try."

Two special awards were given at the ceremony. The Human Relations Award, also known as the Coveted Cube Award, went to Mario Rodriguez, 18, for his people skills. Elinor Peraza, 18, received the Highest Achievement Award for consistently using the principles of the Dale Carnegie program, applying those skills in real life and demonstrating both to the class.

"I was so surprised," she said. "I thought one of my classmates, Samuel Gomez, had a bigger turnaround."

Principal Cleto "Sundy" Chazares wants to repeat the program next year, even though the cost is about $1,000 per student.

"I plan to reach out to area businesses and corporations," he said.

This year, the school district's Career and Technical Division covered the tuition for 24 students and two faculty members, Chazares said, and the Dale Carnegie program provided two scholarships. Two students left the program before completion.

Participants were recommended by their teachers through the center's two guidance counselors, who were asked to fill the 24 slots.

"We wanted a variety of students, and we got them," Chazares said. "No one played favorites."

To learn how you can help, call the South County Career Center at (813) 233-3335.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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