Inspiring Leaders Speak at Grand Terrace High

Grand Terrace High School’s 3rd Annual Career Day on Tuesday, Oct. 14, had a successful turn out. Some of the attendees included representatives of local police, fire department, and various branches of the military. Among those in attendance were Jesse J. from Jesse J. Collections, his model Kiera Smith, and Bev St. Andrews, director of Public Relations of KCAA 1050 AM. Jesse J. is a wardrobe stylist and designer who attended Colton High School. Like the classroom he presented to at GTHS, he was once a teenaged boy, unsure about what his future may hold. During his high school years, Jesse had no clue he would become a celebrity wardrobe stylist, let alone run his own company; Jesse J. Collections. After graduating from Colton High, Jesse attended FIDM in Los Angeles where he learned how to start his own business. Through internships and hard work, Jesse moved his way up and now works with high-end magazines like Vogue and at award ceremonies like MTV’s Music Video Awards and commercials where he contributes to the “behind the scenes” work that makes these events possible. Jesse motivated the students at Grand Terrace by telling his story and how despite the small amount of support he had from his parents and peers, he built his own empire. To be successful in any career, Jesse stressed the importance of gaining connections and resources. He told students that personality and first impressions are always important. He advised them to appreciate their life experiences, obstacles, and challenges since they essentially help build who you become. Bev St. Andrews from Let’s Go Shopping with Bev, is no stranger to the struggle of achieving her career goal. When she first presented the idea of being on the radio to her folks at an early age, they simply laughed and dismissed it. After graduating high school, St. Andrews went onto law school, attended bartending classes and opened a few of her own restaurants. She was successful but had yet to fulfill her lifelong dream. Eventually, she started working as one of the backstage managers in a television show and with the connections she made she was able to get into the radio industry. During her presentation, St. Andrews stressed the importance of embracing one’s passion. She advised the students to follow their hearts, no matter what career they yearned for. She told them to learn from their mistakes and never to take ‘no’ for an answer. She said that if she had given up when radio producers rejected her radio show ideas, she would not be where she is today. Jesse expressed his admiration for St. Andrews saying, “She is like my second mother. My Godmother.” Their passion for fashion and styling brought these two together as an unstoppable duo that can finish each other’s sentences on a regular basis. They both love giving back to their community and motivating future generations. They both offered students the opportunity to participate in an internship where they would learn about either the fashion and styling industry or the television and radio world. Many students agreed to take them up on the invitation and gave St. Andrews and Jesse their contact information. The students left experience opportunities and a new perspective to the hard work behind all the media they are exposed to on a daily basis. Along with Jesse J’s model, Kiera Smith who talked about the modeling industry, and the misconceptions of job, the students learns about a few different ways in which media works and what it takes to be part of it. Grand Terrace High students got their juices flowing and hopefully have all started thinking about what career they might like to pursue in the near future.