Every year, new students enter the Mayor Frank G. Jackson Youth Summer Employment Program. They gain new skills and learn how to work in a real-world environment. Some students challenged themselves this summer and stood out from the crowd.  Tallis Jones, a graduate of Ginn Academy, worked with the Wastewater Design Team this summer. This was Jones’ first year in the program.

Darryn Suttles, program manager, assigned Tallis to that team because he had been taking wastewater classes in high school.  At first, Jones was a bit hesitant about being on the team whose mission is to come up with a model to show the whole wastewater treatment process. The team worked to create a three-dimensional model design to present to the sewer district. “Our goal is to get people to understand how the water system works. We want anyone of any age to be able to look that our model and understand the process,” he said. 

Tallis said he has really enjoyed his time with his group. At first, he said he struggled with the 3-D modeling, but after working for a few weeks, he came to understand the process a lot better. He explained that in the beginning of the program, the group learned the software by creating characters that were on t.v.. Some of these characters have been seen on the “Amazing World of Gumball” and on Nintendo games. This made it easier for teammates to learn how the software worked. “I never realized how much 3-D modeling is used in the real-world,” says Jones.

In fall 2016, he will be attending Hiram College to earn a degree in physical therapy. He said he wants to continue learning about design and technology. After this program, he is really considering taking a few classes in the 3-D modeling and graphic design.  

Jones said that program has really given him the opportunity to come out of his shell. “I’m really happy with the small groups. We have really gotten close over time,” says Jones. Working in a small group has given him the chance to show his leadership skills. Also, it has given him the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds. “I’m usually a quiet person, and working in large groups has always been hard for me, but working with a group this size has let me speak my mind and give my ideas,” says Jones.  Tallis wants to be able to work for the program again, perhaps as a supervisor. “I have become more confident because of the program,” says Jones.