My name is Travis Koapke and I am from St. Thomas, N.D. I have spent the last year and seven months at Quentin Burdick Job Corps Center. Before I came to this training program my life was off track. I had failing grades in most of my classes and was not getting the help I needed in school.

When I arrived at the center on Feb. 4, 2007, I was expecting it to be one building with few windows and no grass, but that was not the case. The instructors and students were all very friendly and I was soon on a journey to change my life.

During the past year and a half, I have received my GED, achieved three ASE certifications and a Class A driver's license. I have just started a good-paying job on a work-based learning and can now say I am proud of myself and what I have accomplished. I have received a lot of support from my parents, Marie and Luther Koapke, and my instructors, LeRoy Burckhard and Jeb Fredrickson.

I believe this program can help everyone who wants to change their life.