At nine years oldold, Irma Palencia promised her mother she might be a role model for her brothers and sister and the Latino community. Ten years later, the country has diagnosed Palencia for her effort to improve her life and the lives of others in Gaston County. Triumphing the award was an eye-opener of what I should reap,” she stated. “It helped me acknowledge that I am capable of those accomplishments.

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The teenager and Gastonia company GSM Offerings brought home titles from the governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinctions. Palencia was deemed an outstanding personnel improvement for younger people for going through Gaston University’s YouthWorks, a year-round activity training application for humans aged 16 to 24.

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The 19-12 month vintage beat eight other human beings, such as Randolph and Cumberland counties, for the award. GSM — which presents roofing, heating, cooling, and associated Services — has become an amazing enterprise. GSM beat out five corporations statewide for the award: Carolina Seaside Clothing, Americhem, Robert Bosch Inc., Wayne Brothers Inc. And Firsthealth of the Carolinas.

The awards were offered on Oct. 6.

In a letter from Gov. Pat McCrory, he counseled the organization’s capacity to improve the skills of its workers. You are a fantastic position model for North Carolina’s employers,” he wrote. Workplace supervisor Donna Caskey said the organization invests in employee training, apprenticeships for people interested in becoming members, and scholarships at Gaston College. Complete-time employees were attending night college to

higher their abilities, she stated. The organization additionally invests time in teaching excessive school college students why they have to be a part of the heating and cooling service industry, approximately the ability pay, competencies that get you employed no matter in which You’re and the money saved on going to College for half of the time.

We’re very commemorated,” she said. “I paintings for a splendid organization.

GSM has introduced 100 employees within the past five years and still has about 30 positions open for installers, technicians, administrators, coordinators, and extras. Palencia finished her high college diploma work within three months of enrolling within the application, YouthWorks coordinator Phyllis Davis-Brown stated. She also worked at the Shelter of Gaston County and registered in a pre-nursing application with Gaston College.

That is above and past,” Davis-Brown stated. “She had an aim. She becomes centered and pushed. She was intent on making her lifestyle higher.” approximately a hundred and twenty humans participate inside the application at a time, she said. Their participation lasts until they’ve reached their goal. That point can depend on the time human beings have to be had and their degree of commitment. Palencia said she lacked a help device growing up.

But with the attention she acquired from YouthWorks case manager Tammy McIntyre, she located the encouragement to similarly her education. Her University classes start in January; however, she’s thinking again while she typical her award in October.