MikeLigalig.com

Indiana Teen Hikes 10 Miles Through Ice Storm For Minimum-Wage Job

By Dan Fastenberg



The younger generation is often criticized for lacking the classic American work ethic. But Indiana teenager Jhaqueil Reagan has proven that the national rite of pulling oneself up by the bootstraps is not dead. Neither are happy endings. The 18-year-old hiked through an ice storm for 10 miles to interview for a minimum wage position with Dairy Queen Inc., and a local restaurateur was so impressed that he hired Reagan for double the state minimum wage, which would make his salary $14.50 an hour.

Reagan's dedication came to light Friday while he was trudging through a winter storm outside Indianapolis for the Dairy Queen job. On the way, he asked a man for directions. The man turned out to be Art Bouvier, the owner of a local restaurant, Papa Roux Cajun Cooking. When Bouvier learned of Reagan's 10-mile journey, he asked the 18-year old, "How come you're not on the bus?" Reagan answered: "I can't afford the bus until I get a job," Bouvier told Indianapolis TV station Fox59


"That's the kind of story your parents used to tell, my parents used to tell, up both ways in the snow," he told Fox59. So Bouvier decided to follow up with Reagan. In a post on Facebook, Bouvier recounted how Reagan never asked for any money for the bus. He then decided to get in his car and follow Reagan, before finally catching up with him 15 minutes later. (Since being posted on Friday, Bouvier's post has gotten more than 15,000 "likes." Commenters have been effusive with their praise, with one, Charlie Bentz, saying: "this is what we need more of in this country.")

After picking up Reagan, Bouvier dropped the teen off at his interview. But before he let him go, Bouvier told him that whatever the Dairy Queen offers, he'd double it for him to start working with Papa Roux, according to conservative news site TheBlaze. After his interview, Reagan soon found out that the Dairy Queen decided to fill the position with another candidate. But Bouvier told Reagan that he'd have a job waiting for him at Papa Roux on Monday.

In speaking to the TV station, Reagan talked about how he needed the break. After his mother died two years ago, he was forced to stay at home to take care of his siblings. He was only able to earn a high school diploma through GED. Speaking Friday after hearing about his new job, Reagan said his "heart's racing ... I'm just too excited, just excited to start."


Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=70495.0

Jhaqueil Reagan with Papa Roux owner Art Bouvier

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=70495.0

In case you missed it earlier this week, Reagan’s path to notoriety started when Art Bouvier, owner of Papa Roux, spotted the young man Friday walking across his parking lot. Reagan asked Bouvier how far it was to 10th Street and Sherman Drive – a destination about six miles away.

Bouvier learned the young man was walking all that distance in the ice and slush to report to a job interview. He was vying for a minimum-wage job at a thrift store. Impressed with the teen’s work ethic, Bouvier immediately recruited him to work at his restaurant – and then recounted the story on Facebook. His post went viral – picking up tens of thousands of “likes.”

Now Reagan is fielding calls from media types representing Good Morning America, Glenn Beck, Larry King, the New York Post and many, many others.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=70495.0

He says he hopes he can help others the way Bouvier has helped him.

“Art says ‘Pay it forward,’ and I’m starting to believe in that,” Reagan said. “He’s paying it forward, and I’m paying it forward. It’s become a great life lesson for me.”

He credits his dad, Gregory Reagan, with instilling his work ethic.

“He owned a paint company for five years,” the younger Reagan said. “I watched him working his fingers to the bone. Every day.”

Reagan remains murky on long-range career plans but said he wants to get serious about building a future.

“I’m planning on going to college,” he said. “For what, I have no idea right now.”

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=70495.0

thanks for the assist islander

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=70495.0