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Chris Alvear was presented the 2012 Outstanding Alumni of the Year with the Southwest Workforce Investment Area (WIA) recently at the Oklahoma State Capital.

Chris came to the WIA Youth Program in September, 2011 when he was 19 years old. Due to medical and life circumstances, he dropped out of high school prior to starting the 11^th grade. He had never worked, was unemployed and homeless at the time. He had applications in at several fast food franchises in Altus and even interviewed with one, but had not received a call back. He was starting to become scared and desperate.

He contacted Southwest Youth Services Transitional Housing and was introduced to the SWODA/WIA Youth Program. He explained that he needed 15 college credit hours to join the army, but after an in-depth interview process and Career Cluster Survey he discovered, much to his surprise, that his true dream was to become a physician. Chris was signed to the WIA program to receive work experiences well as funding for occupational skills training. He completed his GED with flying colors scoring within the 99^th percentile of the entire United States.

His plan included starting at the bottom and working up through the certifications so that he would understand all the issues involves in the progressive steps of the medical profession. He completed his GED, CPR, Medical Terminology and CNA certifications within a three month period as well as 520 hours of work experience as an administrative assistant in the practical nursing program at Southwest Technology Center with a final evaluation score of 4.0 out of 4.0.

Chris is now in the third level of the practical nursing program at SWTC and the Health Occupations Students of America president for his class. Chris has exceeded all expectations and has excelled in every endeavor that he has attempted. He has gone through experiences that have changed his life in ways that will continue to impact every aspect of his personal and professional life.

Chris has the option of enlisting in the Air Force and completing his medical degree or attempting to complete the degree on his own. Chris is armed with the tools and skills necessary to achieve his dream, whichever route he chooses, thanks to the help he received from SWODA/WIA Youth Program and the faculty of Southwest Technology Center.