News Release: F.L. Schlagle Senior Receives Scholarship From JAG-K
A senior from F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City was recently named recipient of the JAG-K Scholarship for seniors in high school.
Aleah Netherland was selected from an application process that included an essay, resume, a speech, letters of recommendation, and work samples.
“We are always proud of the accomplishments of our seniors, and we’re proud to recognize Aleah as the 2022 Mortimer scholar,” said JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp. “I also want to thank and acknowledge our Senior Vice-President of Programming, Bev Mortimer, who has funded these scholarships for several years.”
Kansas’ 81 JAG programs, which serve approximately 4,300 students in 43 school districts across the state, reported a graduation rate of 97 percent for the Class of 2020. Many of JAG-K’s students attend college, overcoming barriers that might otherwise have kept them from succeeding in school.
“When they called my name to receive my scholarship I was very happy and surprised,” Netherland said. “Receiving a scholarship from a program that helps me in every aspect of my life and career is a blessing. I thank JAG-K so much for all the windows they have opened for me.”
Netherland said she plans to attend Baker University, where she earned scholarships in bowling and orchestra. She plans to major in Sports Psychology and minor in Music.
“Aleah has demonstrated her leadership in her school, on athletic teams and in her music activities,” Mortimer said. “She has overcome tremendous adversity during high school and continued to maintain her high GPA and complete some concurrent college classes. Her determination and support from JAG-K have put her on a path to a successful future.”
Netherland made a point to thank Karla Pledger, JAG-K Career Specialist at F.L. Schlagle High School. Pledger said that Netherland has maintained a 4.0 grade point average despite the fact her mother passed away during the pandemic.
It is a great honor to hear your student’s name called to receive something that is important to her,” Pledger said. “Aleah has displayed an impeccable work ethic and a heart of gold. She has always demonstrated a strong commitment to her education. In the JAG-K classroom, she’s a great leader and role model for the students at F.L. Schlagle.”
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. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally accredited, evidence-based model.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 40 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, Evergy, Goldstein Charitable Trust, John Deere, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, Stormont Vail Health, Synchrony Financial, the Taco Bell Foundation 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.