JAG-K Students Gather for Career Development Conference and Career Expo

More than 250 students from Jobs for America’s Graduates–Kansas (JAG-K) gathered at Fort Hays State University on March 20 for the organization’s annual State Career Development Conference (CDC).

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.

The CDC was sponsored by the Taco Bell Foundation and the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Deputy Bank Commissioner Tim Kemp served as keynote speaker at the event.

At the event, students elected officers for next year, competed in areas of job preparedness, and met with about a dozen potential employers at a career expo.

“The State CDC is one of the most anticipated and exciting events of the year for JAG-K students,” said JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp. “Representing your school at state is a rare opportunity, and all these students should be proud of the work and preparation it took to get there.”

The career expo was sponsored by Central Valley Ag, Goodland Tech and Kansas Gas Service. Students also met with representatives of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 661, Kansas Air National Guard, Kansas Department of Revenue, Kansas Highway Patrol, KANSASWORKS, and Larned State Correctional Facility.

JAG-K participants across Kansas voted for statewide officers for the next year. Elected to serve as state officers were: (pictured right to left) President Kameron Welch, Emporia High School; Vice President Noah Maldonado, Junction City High School; Secretary, Hannah Greenleaf, Kiowa County High School; Parliamentarian, Kalli Peterson, Eudora High School.

The 250-plus participants competed in events that showcase competencies attained in the JAG-K program.

High school students who placed in competition were: 

• Business Plan Team Competition: 1^st Lauren Saenger, Tanner Norns and Brayden Dorch, Minneapolis; 2^nd Reuben Solis, Ausia Martinez and John Seamans, Junction City Innovations Academy.

• Career Preparation: 1^st Bethany Wells, Junction City Innovations Academy; 2^nd Jackson Waters, Junction City; 3^rd Hannah Gideon, Russell.

• Creative Decision Making Team Competition: 1^st Liam Slocum, Caiden Caldwell and Jonathan Leckner, Pratt; 2^nd Jaden Exantus, James Lamar and Jae’lynn Dennard, Junction City.

• Employability Skills: 1^st Leo Hernandez, Hays; 2^nd Kyla Sterbenz, Shawnee Heights; 3^rd Brooke Hubbard, Augusta.

• Financial Literacy: 1^st Sam Boetcher, Basehor-Linwood; 2^nd Brooklyn Gilchrist, Kiowa County; 3^rd Don Ingram, Hiawatha.

• Project Based Learning Team Competition: 1^st Jonae Conover, Noah Maldonado and Alani Burks, Junction City ; 2^nd Greg Martinez, Mattea Kennis and Ashlynn Bradley, Holcomb. 

• Prepared Speaking: 1^st Ilyssa Maya, Concordia; 2^nd AJ Hase, Emporia; 3^rd Miami Holley, Topeka High.

• T-Shirt Design: 1^st Alyanna Hightower, Shawnee Mission West; 2^nd Santina Dickson, Shawnee Mission North; 3^rd Dalton Devin, Manhattan.

The top three finishers of the four different individual areas of competition (minus the t-shirt competition) and the top two finishers in the three team competitions earned the opportunity to compete at the National Career Development Conference in St. Louis in April.

High school teams were also awarded recognition based on their collective performance. The top three high school teams were Kiowa County High School (1^st place), Junction City Innovations Academy (2^nd place) and Junction City High School 2 (3^rd place).  

Competitions in seven categories were staged for middle school participants as well. Minneapolis Middle School placed first in the team standings, followed by Junction City Middle School and Kiowa County Middle School.

Students who placed in the middle school CDC competitions were: 

• Business Plan Team Competition: 1^st Amelia Barnes, Norma Espericuetta and Aubree Gilchrist, Kiowa County Middle School; 2^nd Ashlynn Mattox, Avary Domme and Makynzie Allen, Shawnee Heights Middle School.

• Career Preparation: 1^st Ryan Sanders, Westridge Middle School (Shawnee Mission); 2^nd Lilliana Martinez, Junction City Middle School; 3^rd Sara Goheen, Minneapolis Middle School; 4^th Vianney Rodriguez, Great Bend Middle School.

• Creative Decision Making Team Competition: 1^st Amiyah Sharp, Auburn Just and Berklee Hesman, Minneapolis Middle School; 2^nd Annabelle Wahl, Natalie Jakubowski and Gabriel Laureano Mendez, Fort Riley Middle School.

• Employability Skills: 1^st Quinley Bohl, Minneapolis Middle School; 2^nd Myles Brayton, Westridge Middle School (Shawnee Mission); 3^rd Tyler Sanders, Anthony Middle School (Manhattan); 4^th Layquan Turner, Junction City Karns Middle School.

• Financial Literacy: 1^st Jaylee Abell, Minneapolis Middle School; 2^nd Cayden Buchenav, Junction City Middle School; 3^rd Gabe Thompson, Junction City Karns Middle School; 4^th Kaleigh Kurtz, Anthony Middle School (Manhattan).

• Project Based Learning Team Competition: 1^st Jemma Ploger, Delaney Little and Addison Minyard. Kiowa County Middle School; 2^nd Karina Galindo, Angel Flores and Aaliyah Rodriguez, Hutchinson Middle School.

• Prepared Speaking: 1^st Ella Nokes, Great Bend Middle School; 2^nd Ava Hammond, Junction City Middle School; 3^rd Liliana Aquino, Carl Bruce Middle School (Kansas City); 4^th Ray Schendel, Westridge Middle School (Shawnee Mission).

• T-Shirt Design: 1^st Patience Rowland, Anthony Middle School (Manhattan); 2^nd Adrian Franco, Junction City Karns Middle School; 3^rd Zyrel Dela Cruz, Junction City Middle School; 4^th Vianney Rodriguez, Great Bend Middle School.

Kansas’ 112 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,000 students in 47 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. Last year, JAG-K had more than 900 high school graduates.

The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 38 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, EagleU, Evergy, Goldstein Charitable Trust, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, John Deere, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Royals Foundation, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, Kohl’s, Synchrony Financial, the Taco Bell Foundation, the City of Topeka, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains and Walmart.

To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.