CENTRAL

jodi"My experience at L’École Culinaire was so life-changing for me. Before I enrolled, I was agoraphobic;I was reluctant to go out in public for fear of being judged wherever I went. I even dropped out ofhigh school because of my condition, and depression set in once I realized that this would prevent mefrom leading a normal life and pursuing an education like the rest of my peers. My mother was theperson who convinced me to inquire about a degree in culinary arts because of my lifelong love forfood and cooking."It took a lot of nerve on my part, but eventually I toured L’École’s facilities. Seeing the other studentsand knowing that they too were passionate about cooking made me feel more comfortable. After Istarted school, it wasn’t long before I felt a great sense of camaraderie among my fellow classmates.Not only did I feel comfortable around the people at L’École, I also felt comfortable with myself forthe first time in my life. I had finally found something that I could excel at! I went from being a highschool dropout to being an overachieving A+ student."In the spring of 2008, I graduated at the top of my class. I also did something that I never couldhave done without my experience at L’École. I stood up before hundreds of people and gave my class’sgraduation speech. My agoraphobia is nothing more than a memory since attending L’École. I gainedenduring friendships, a ton of knowledge and enough confidence to last a lifetime." ◄Jodi WernerL’École Culinaire"I went to work for Concorde Career College in Kansas City notknowing very much about the school. I had spent a few years at abig university and didn’t know how I would adjust to such a smallschool. However, everyone at Concorde took me in and showedme that career colleges could compete with the 'big dogs' with thequality of education and experience they provided."After my daughter was born with a complex heart defect thatrequired open heart surgery, I decided to return to school atConcorde to pursue a career in respiratory therapy. I wanted tohelp families coping with sick loved ones and show them thatsomeone cared. Compassion is important in the healthcare field,and I knew I had the caring personality that would help me withmy future career."It wasn’t always easy to stick to my schoolwork with a sick babyat home, but I still graduated with a 4.0. During school, I ledmy program’s quiz bowl team to a 4th place finish at the statecompetition, where we beat out a larger university. I was a goodstudent, but I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’tfor my amazing instructors who believed in me and taught methe valuable information I needed to succeed. After graduation,I moved to Massachusetts with my husband and daughter whereI found not one, but two jobs in Boston. Today I work in theintensive care unit, emergency room, pediatrics unit and neonatalintensive care unit. I am able to hold my own, even consultingHarvard-educated doctors. I have had the opportunity to treatpatients from infants to those in their 100s! No one ever said goingback to school would be easy, but at Concorde Career CollegeI received everything I needed to be an excellent respiratorytherapist who could find a job anywhere in the country." ◄AshleyConcorde Career CollegeRespiratory Therapy WHAT'S AT RISK? | 34ashleyMike Sparks was born with a physical abnormality that interferedwith his abilities to do the things that seem commonplace formost people. Eventually it forced him to have his leg amputatedabove the knee, and the very same condition also prevented theamputation from healing completely.Mike was determined to accomplish his goals without havinghis disability get in the way. He was driven and determinedto succeed. He always had a very positive attitude, nevercomplaining about his disability or the difficulties it caused.Mike has an amazing work ethic that he puts to use in theclassroom, at his job and in his entire life.In May 2005, he graduated from Crawford County VocationalSchool with a Certificate in Residential Wiring. In 2007, Mikebegan working as a product inspector for Multi-Plastics Inc.,located in Saegertown, Pa.In February of 2008, Mike enrolled in the Mechanical ComputerAided Drafting & Design Technology program at Triangle Tech.Mike graduated from the Erie campus as top academic studentin his major. After a competitive job search, Mike was hired bythe Zurn Corporation located in Erie, Pa. ◄mikeMike SparksTriangle TechMechanical CADD Technology