BAMBERG -- When Sam Kolapo stepped to the podium the morning of Jan. 23, it was a bitter sweet moment. Kolapo, who has held the position of center director at the Bamberg Job Corps Center for the past two years, was moving on to work at a Job Corps center in Florida.

Kolapo's remarks were the highlight of the January meeting of the Bamberg Job Corps Center Community Relations Council.

Job Corps centers are in the business of change, Kolapo said, and he said he saw plenty of change for the better during his tenure in Bamberg.

"I came here with a mission - to have some kind of impact," Kolapo said. "We've accomplished a lot over the last two years, and we could not have done it without community support and contributions."

Kolapo recognized numerous instrumental individuals in the audience of 50 plus people and thanked them for helping to make BJCC a better place.

"In 2006, we were ranked No. 72 in the nation, and now we are No. 13," Kolapo said to a round of applause.

The numbers spoke for themselves as Kolapo read from an impressive list of statistics comparing the Bamberg Job Corps Center's performance two years ago compared to now. Its GED performance rating climbed from 112th place to 43rd place. Its vocational completion ranking grew from No. 36 to No. 9. Graduate job placement went from 118th place to 59th place while student retention grew to more than 107 percent.

"When I first came, Bamberg Job Corps was not up to its full potential," Kolapo said. "We were only at 97 percent capacity. Now we are at 100 percent."

He said there is now a waiting list at BJCC and encouraged the audience members to spread the news about Bamberg Job Corps Center's success and progress in an effort to have another Job Corps established in South Carolina. The Bamberg site is currently the only such center in the state.

"I am leaving Bamberg because I have finished my mission, and I am going to another center to make a difference there," Kolapo said.

A plaque was presented to Kolapo by Harvey Kling, Community Relations Council chairman, along with Johnnie Hyatt, Bamberg County American Red Cross chairperson, and Bamberg Mayor Alton McCollum. Kolapo was thanked for his leadership and dedication to the community and for his support of the Bamberg County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

T&D Correspondent Minnie Miller can be reached by writing to her at 138 Nature's Trail, Bamberg, SC 29003.

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