By Rita Howell
Two students from the Batesville Job Corps Center will be in Washington, D.C. tomorrow to celebrate Job Corps Day.

Lillian Herring of Jackson and Melissa Gleaton of Pope will travel to the nation’s capital to represent Job Corps on Capitol Hill.

Herring and Gleaton are among 60 Job Corps students from around the country chosen to shadow their member of Congress as part of the Job Corps’ 45th anniversary celebration September 23.

Herring, a student in the nurses assistant and retail sales programs, will participate in a one-day internship with Senator Thad Cochran, learning how a congressional office works, from constituent services to legislative policy.

Melissa Gleaton, enrolled in the office assistant training course,  will work in Senator Roger Wicker’s office.

Both young women are attending Northwest Community College and are enrolled in the Job Corps’ Advanced Career Training Program.

“Job Corps never ceases to provide young people with an outlet or inspiration to better their lives,” Center director Cordella Smith said. “We are very excited to send Lillian and Melissa to D.C. so they can learn from two of the nation’s leaders.”

Herring came to Job Corps in 2008 with an interest in getting herself onto a career track. During the interview process,  she impressed the center staff with her professionalism and eagerness to represent Job Corps and understand how the legislative process works, a spokesman said.  

“Someday I would like to work in public service and I have never been to D.C., so this is the chance of a lifetime!” said Herring. “Job Corps gives me so much hope for my future.”

Accompanying the students to Washington is Job Corps staff member Vernetta Price.

Over the past 45 years, Job Corps has served nearly three million economically disadvantaged young Americans, a release from the agency reported.  

Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, this voluntary, residential training program offers vocational, academic, and social skills training to students aged 16 to 24 at 123 centers nationwide.

Each year, Job Corps serves over 60,000 young people.