Jackson County School District Superintendent helps students dress for success

Jackson County School District Superintendent Dr. John Strycker goes the extra mile to help some special needs students dress for success as they transition into the workforce.

What you wear is very important when you go for a job interview and Jackson County School District Superintendent Dr. John Strycker wants to make sure his students are prepared so he decided to take a couple of students shopping at Men’s Avenue in Edgewater Mall to buy them suits. “The person with the suit in the room sometimes is assumed as in charge even if they are not. So, it’s very important to me that our young people understand that that there is still value that many people have and that’s your appearance.”

The students who went shopping for suits are a part of a program called LINCS, which stands for Linking Individuals in Community Support. LINCS Instructor Ryan Mason said, “What we do is work with young adults with disabilities from the Jackson County School District that have completed high school and help them on career preparatory skills, career planning, daily living skills, and help them come as independent as possible to be productive members in their communities.”

Cameron Johnson is a student in the LINCS program and has learned many skills within the program. “I learned a lot about budgets and how to do my job and how to keep a job.”

Johnson says his new suit will help him secure a job. “Wearing a suit will definitely help me look good at my job interview.”

Strycker says it is more than a suit, it’s a self-confidence booster because when you look good, you feel good. “I think they understand the importance of when you are wearing blue jeans and shorts and a t-shirt. You have a different feel when you put that suit on.”