"I was hard-headed to a certain extent. I left high school because I felt I was ready to see what the rest of the world was like." - HAROLD OGLESBY Harold Oglesby was named the state's Youth of the Year on Monday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenville.

Oglesby, 19, dropped out of Gaffney High in the tenth grade and moved to Savannah, Ga., so he could see what life was like in the real world. After several months, Oglesby returned home and enrolled in the Alternatives in Motion (AIM) program to complete his high school education.

Oglesby earned his general high school equivalency diploma last December. He began working after graduation at Limestone College as a groundskeeper. He is now the housekeeping supervisor for five college buildings, including Fullerton Auditorium.

Oglesby didn't think he would be in this position so soon after finishing high school.

"I was hard-headed to a certain extent. I left high school because I felt I was ready to see what the rest of the world was like," Oglesby said. "I moved to Savannah, but I really didn't like it. My dad was good friends with the director Kathy Bell and suggested the AIM program. It was a great decision because it got me interested in school and showed the opportunities that are out there."

Alternatives in Motion (AIM) is a program of the Upstate Youth Council. It is funded by a grant from the Upstate Workforce Investment Board and operated in partnership with the Cherokee County School District.

Each year the State Workforce Investment Board honors outstanding volunteers, students, boards and training providers during its statewide Workforce Development Partnership Conference in Columbia. Nominations are submitted by local workforce investment area administrators and independently rated by selected members of the System Management Committee.

"It's very unusual for someone of Harold's age to advance to a supervisory role," AIM Job Coach Mary Beth Sprouse said. "In a walk through the Limestone campus with Harold, it is immediately evident that he is wellknown and well-liked by all. We are very proud of what he has accomplished."

As the housekeeping supervisor, Oglesby's responsibilities include checking inventory and ordering supplies, keeping a calendar of events for which he and his crew must prepare, setting up for meetings, registrations and other college activities.

"I have seven lovely women who work for me. I have lived the Limestone lifestyle for the past year," Oglesby said. "I live in campus housing. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the cafeteria. If I go eat at another restaurant, they call it cheating."

Olglesby said he often jokes with Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin that he plans on living at the college forever. He does plan on enrolling at Limestone this spring to pursue a double major in business and marketing.

"I am really grateful for the opportunity to work at Limestone College," Oglesby said. "I plan to continue working there and excelling academically."