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Jacksonville councilwoman, local groups create new program to help prepare students for success

Some Jacksonville area students will be gaining tools to prepare for their future.

“I’ve been playing football for this school for three years,” said Chris Sharpe, a student at Rebault High School.

Sharpe has big plans.

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“I want to go to school, make it to the league one day,” he said.

Now he will have some help reaching his goals.

“I have a passion for the underserved and I’m going to do everything I can to help those individuals,” said councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman.

Pittman has partnered with two groups, Suits for Seniors and Rubenstein Law Firm, to bring a program to Rebault High School and Raines High School for seniors – preparing them for their future.

“It gives them an opportunity to say 'I can make it.' So when it’s time to prepare for jobs that they have the right tools in their tool box to go out and get a job,” Pittman said.

Twnety-five seniors boys and girls will meet at their schools on the weekends or after school for eight weeks. When students finish this free course, they get more than a diploma.

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“Now have a custom-made suit that again prepares you for that first job interview,” said Pittman.

“A lot of people don’t have good things, so with this suit, like, they got some, it’s theirs and nobody can get it,” said Sharpe.

It’s more than a new suit. It’s a step toward fulfilling a dream.

“I want them to know they can do anything they set their minds to, they can achieve it,” said Dr. Gregory Bostic, principal at Rebault.

We asked Sharpe what he thought about a custom-made suit. His response, “It’s mine, nobody can wear it.”

Sharpe will be looking good, while looking forward to the future.