Jocelyn Lorena Hernandez, a Carrollton High School student, embarked on a unique path as she worked alone on a project. Little did she know that this seemingly ordinary experience would shape her future in remarkable ways.

Uncovering the Impact of a Construction Class on a Student's Future

Construction Class: The Happy Accident

When Jocelyn was a junior at Carrollton High School, she found herself enrolled in a construction class that she didn't recall requesting. However, this class turned out to be a turning point in her life. "Honestly, I like to call it a 'happy accident,'" she recalls. "It turned out that I quite enjoyed the class, and Mr. Stone said I should consider the RaLin Construction Academy."Mr. Stone, a long-time construction superintendent and the director of Field Operations at RaLin Construction when the partnership with Carrollton High School was developed in 2018, saw something special in Jocelyn. "Chris is a natural," Garrett said. "His years of mentoring and teaching RaLin field workers would transfer well to an internship program. He was made for this job."

Flourishing in the Academy

Jocelyn took Mr. Stone's advice and continued with the academy. She flourished and decided to attend the Women in Construction Summer Camp at Auburn University between her junior and senior years. After graduating in 2024, she was hired as a summer intern for RaLin's pre-construction team. She also received the RaLin Memorial Scholarship to further her education.Today, Jocelyn, the daughter of Efren Hernandez and Lorena Perez Alvarez, is a freshman at Auburn majoring in construction and building science. She is the recipient of the McWhorter School of Building Science RaLin Annual Scholarship, presented to a student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to the construction industry.

Overcoming Shyness and Thriving

Jocelyn has never considered herself a leader, but Mr. Stone pushed her past her comfort zone. "I can be quite shy. It takes me a while to open up to people," she says. "Mr. Stone didn't let me stick to my corner. I think he saw potential in me that I wasn't even aware existed." Under Stone's guidance, Jocelyn participated in the Associated General Contractors of America high school student competitions and performed well."Jocelyn Hernandez never shied away from a task or challenge; maybe skeptical at first, but soon to overcome and succeed," says Stone. "She was a delight to instruct because of her enthusiasm and energy, which was contagious to those around her."

Finding Her Path

For Jocelyn, the RaLin Construction Academy experience led to an epiphany. "I always knew that I was going to go to college, but I never really knew what I wanted to study," she says. "I would jump back and forth from ideas without a concrete path. For a while, I wanted to be a mechanical engineer. Then, a writer. Then, a physical therapist. Journalism was even thrown into the mix at one point. There was so much I could choose from, but nothing felt solid. Now look where I am. I'm quite content with my choice."