News Release: JAG-K Alumni Return to JAG-K as Employees
As the summer comes to an end, JAG-K students and specialists alike are returning to the classroom with anticipation for what this year will hold.
For many, this isn’t the first time they’ve set foot into one of our classrooms. However, for Hannah Atchison, the career specialist at Wyandotte High School, the JAG-K classroom is taking on a whole new meaning.
This year, Hannah is returning to JAG-K after graduating from our program as a student at Basehor-Linwood high school in 2020. “I got involved in JAG-K through a friend of mine in high school,” Hannah stated. “He was in this class that he really liked and said that I would be perfect for the program, so I talked to the Specialist about getting into the program my sophomore year.”
Throughout her time as a student, Hannah experienced several meaningful accomplishments, including serving as her chapter president and attending National Student Leadership Academy to compete in the Financial Literacy event during her senior year. “I loved that JAG had an event that I knew I could be good at,” Hannah explained. “I always loved math, and I had a lot of anxiety, so public speaking wasn’t a good fit for me. A big part of my favorite memory in JAG-K is getting the call from my Specialist that I was going to nationals.”
Hannah has expressed that she is excited to be re-entering the JAG-K classroom as a Specialist. “I love being a Specialist and being able to connect with and help my students in the way that I needed in high school.” Hannah understands just how important the JAG-K program is for students, which brings her a great perspective as a new Specialist. This isn’t her first time in a classroom setting, either. “Before I came back as a Specialist, I worked in an elementary school for almost 3 years as a paraprofessional. I loved working there and I loved working with kids, but I wanted to be able to help the students more and I had always wanted to be a teacher.”
“It has definitely been a big change from knowing the program as a student and knowing it as a Specialist, but I love what I am doing,” Hannah added at the close of her interview. “Seeing how excited my students get to come into my classroom, or to hear them say they love my class makes me so happy. I know I’m making a difference to at least a couple kids.”
Alongside Hannah, another former JAG-K student is returning to the classroom as a Specialist. Kyleigh Pittman is also a graduate from the Basehor-Linwood JAG-K program, class of 2019. However, this isn’t Kyleigh’s first year as a Specialist. She has just begun her 4th year in the classroom.
“When I was in high school, my mom always took in extra kids, even when we ourselves needed help. That’s how I met Taylor, who ended up moving in with us,” Kyleigh explained as she told us about how she joined JAG-K. “She was in JAG-K at Basehor-Linwood High School and told her specialist, Mary Guerra, that I would be a good fit for the program.”
Kyleigh has a huge passion for JAG-K, and that passion comes directly from her experience as a student. “I was struggling to stay focused on my own goals and vision for the future,” She added. “I worried constantly about home and how I could make things better there. JAG-K helped me shift that focus. It encouraged me to make choices for myself and my future.”
Much like Hannah, Kyleigh also developed a love for the competitive events that are offered through JAG-K, and found success in Employability Skills, where she made it to nationals. “The highlight of my JAG-K experience was traveling to Washington, D.C.—still the best trip of my life. There, I learned so much about networking, leadership, and applying myself to the future I wanted, all while experiencing our nation’s history firsthand,” Kyleigh explained. “Getting a tour inside the White House is something I’ll never forget. That trip is my favorite JAG-K memory.”
In terms of the journey back to the classroom, Kyleigh attributed her reignited passion for the program to her sisters. “I had always envisioned myself becoming a teacher—maybe in kindergarten or elementary school,” She stated. “In 2022, I attended my sisters’ JAG-K I&I Ceremony at Basehor-Linwood. Watching both of my sisters hold officer positions in the same program I once did reignited my passion for JAG-K.”
“JAG-K has always been a family to me, and I’m grateful to now be part of that family again—this time as someone who gets to give back,” Kyleigh stated at the close of her interview.
Behind the scenes and outside of the classroom, JAG-K graduate Ryah Klima is working out of our Topeka office as our new Marketing & Communications Specialist.
Ryah was a graduate of the Concordia JAG-K program in 2022. During her time in JAG-K, she was heavily involved in student leadership at multiple levels, culminating in her serving as the first ever National Career Association President. “It’s still easily the biggest achievement of my life,” Ryah said when reflecting on the role. “It was a really big deal to me, seeing the way that my six years in JAG-K paid off. I didn’t really have any other activities in school. JAG-K was my thing.”
Along with being a student leader, Ryah also competed in Public Speaking – She even attended the National Student Leadership Academy to compete at the national level in 2019 alongside Hannah Atchison! All three of our returning alumni competed at National Student Leadership Academy within a year of each other. National Competitive Events are now held separately at the National Career Development Conference.
“I really wouldn’t be where I am today without JAG-K,” Ryah stated. “There are so many opportunities I never would’ve had if I hadn’t been in this program.”
Ryah’s career with JAG-K began through an internship – she needed one to finish her degree, and she sent a few text messages letting her contacts in JAG-K know. “It’s kind of crazy,” Ryah stated. “I sent a text message, and then I got a phone call. They made an internship spot for me and then invited me to apply for the full-time position as soon as it opened.”
When discussing her new role in the program, Ryah was open about what she’s looking forward to. “I’ve always loved to tell my personal JAG-K story,” She explained. “Now I get to help tell the whole JAG-K story to everyone. It means a lot to me. I love connecting with the students and hearing their stories.”
Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas is extremely lucky and thankful to have students return to the program as employees, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will hold for Hannah, Kyleigh and Ryah!
JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Kansas’ 114 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,000 students in 48 school districts across the state. JAG-K Career Specialists help students graduate and learn career, leadership, and life skills by executing a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model. Participants must meet criteria to be selected for the program and have potential to overcome various barriers to post-secondary success.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 32 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, Barton Community College, EagleU, Goldstein Charitable Trust, Independence Community College, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, Honeywell, John Deere, Johnson County Community College, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, Magellan Financial, Mark One Electric, the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains, U.S. Bank, Walmart and Washburn Tech.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, or ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.