10/02/2026
We are incredibly proud of Jerry and all he has accomplished! 🎉
Jerry’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, opportunity, and believing in yourself. As a valued PORTCO employee serving as a Day Porter at Germanna Community College, Jerry brings a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a passion for learning to everything he does.
From completing Project SEARCH to becoming a college student and pursuing his dreams, Jerry continues to inspire those around him. Thank you, Germanna Community College, for highlighting Jerry's story and celebrating the impact he makes every day.
Keep shining, Jerry. Your PORTCO family is cheering you on every step of the way! 🌟
“I’ve been working at Germanna since 2024. I’m a janitor. I clean the bathrooms, take out the trash, and do whatever needs to be done to help keep things clean. I actually ended up getting my job here because of an internship. I graduated from James Monroe High School and went through Project SEARCH, which gave me the chance to do three rotations at Mary Washington Healthcare: supply chain, engineering, and Environmental Services, or EVS. EVS is basically anything to do with cleaning. That experience helped me get my job at Germanna.
“I’ve made friends here, and I’m probably most known for recommending movies to people. I love movies. I’ve probably watched nearly a million of them. I like how movies tell stories and how you can relate to things that happen in them. I also really like cinematography. My favorite movie is probably Twilight or Step Up because I like dancing, too. I’ve wanted to be a filmmaker or actor for a long time. I also like to draw. I’ll draw animals, wolves, characters—pretty much anything. I’ve thought about having a career in art, maybe even making movie posters.
“I also have autism. When I was around 8 or 9, I had a seizure and was diagnosed with autism. I don’t remember everything about that time, so a lot of what I know comes from what my mom has told me. I had to relearn a lot of things, including how to talk and read. I still have to take medicine to prevent seizures, and I carry a pouch with me that has my medical information and what I need in case of an emergency.
“I had thought about going to Germanna when I was in high school. I would see people going to class and think, ‘I should go.’ My sister goes here, too. Eventually, I realized it was worth doing. Nobody is just going to do it for me. So now I’m enrolled in my first college class: Two-Dimensional Design. I’m taking it online, but my work schedule ends around the same time the in-person class starts, so sometimes I go sit in the classroom anyway. I just want to learn more.
“I’m excited to see where this takes me. Maybe I’ll go to a four-year college. Maybe I’ll study cinematography. I still want to be a filmmaker or actor. I don’t know exactly what the future looks like yet, but I’m hoping to keep moving forward.
“My mom is one of my heroes. She’s a nurse, and she was really excited when I told her I got accepted at Germanna. She told everyone. They were all really happy for me.
“If you have a disability and you’re thinking about college, my advice is: don’t think too hard about it. Go to a community college first and then maybe go to a four-year college. And channel your inner Jerry: Cool, charismatic, and awesome. Mostly, just be yourself.”
— Jerry Perrin, Germanna Student
