Sometimes the strongest school connections last long after graduation.
Western Hills High School’s Patty Pressley of Cougar Pride Alliance recently shared the story of Jason, a former Western Hills student she first met in 2019 when he was a sophomore running track and in need of spikes.
What started as a simple request turned into years of steady encouragement. For the next two and a half years, Pressley became what she calls a school mom, cheering him on through high school and beyond.
After graduating, Jason enrolled at Midwestern State University. Like many first-year students, he struggled to adjust and eventually returned home when finances made it difficult to continue. He went to work while figuring out his next step.
Last fall, Jason enrolled at CLC and earned his HVAC certification. After months of job searching, a local connection led to an interview with G and L Mechanical, a family-owned company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that specializes in commercial construction, HVAC, and plumbing. Following interviews, screening, and safety training, he began work on site this week.
As Jason starts his career, the Cougar community stepped in again. A call went out for help finding a reliable used vehicle. Within days, a member of the Cougar family donated a car. Jason will receive it once insurance is finalized.
Pressley credited teachers, coaches, and volunteers who supported Jason along the way and noted that other students still need affordable transportation.
Stories like this do not always make headlines, but they shape lives. In this case, a young man found both a career path and a community that continues to stand behind him.
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