By Omar Wilson
Battling Bulletin Student Writer
Former Glen Mills students Charles Blanchard and Ron Nealy took advantage of the opportunities here at the Glen Mills Schools and returned to their alma mater for our Career Day event in 2010 to share their stories of success and inspire current students.
“This was a blast from the past and I was very happy to see a lot of the same staff members still here and to see the new advancements here on campus,” Nealy explained “After being asked, there’s no way I could have said no because Glen Mills has done so much for me.”
Blanchard felt the same way about coming back to Glen Mills.
“It’s wonderful to be back,” Blanchard said. “It’s good to be home and I’m glad I had the opportunity to come back home to a big part of my life.”
Nealy attended Glen Mills from 1990-1992 and was an outstanding student/athlete. The College Prep student earned First Team USA Today All-American football honors as a defensive back and received a football scholarship to the University of South Carolina. The three year starter graduated with a degree in business and began his career in the mortgage industry before purchasing two Curves For Women franchises. After selling them for a profit, Nealy is now managing a large retail store in Charlotte, North Carolina and is investing in a company that will provide in home mental health care via Medicaid.
Nealy offered some great advice to the students. “Wake up every morning with a purpose,” he said.
“Put the time and effort in now and it will pay off in the future.”
Nealy was grateful for the chances he had here at Glen Mills.
“Whenever I asked for anything that would help me, Glen Mills never told me no,” Nealy explained.
Meanwhile, Blanchard is another success story. Being a dedicated and determined student here in 1996-1997, he was able to use the academic and life skills he learned here as a springboard to future success.
The former Journalism Shop student and cross country runner is now owner of a nationwide bail bonds business. His company, Freedom Bail Fast, Inc., has cornered the Western Pennsylvania market and is operating nationwide.