News Release: Parsons High School Student Receives Scholarship from JAG-K

Parsons High School senior Aubree Waun was named recipient of the Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) Senior Scholarship at the JAG-K Career Development Conference at the Wichita State University Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex on Wednesday.

“I am so proud of Aubree for all of her accomplishments, including being named the 2025 JAG-K Senior Scholar,” said JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp. “She is a great example of the benefits of the program and what can happen when students leave their comfort zone and pursue opportunities.”

Kansas’ 114 JAG-K programs, which serve approximately 6,000 students in 48 school districts across the state, reported a graduation rate of 96 percent in the last reporting period. Many of JAG-K’s students attend college, overcoming barriers that might otherwise have kept them from succeeding in school.

The award was announced before more than 250 JAG-K students and staff gathered in Wichita for the annual JAG-K Career Development Conference.

Waun plans to attend Labette Community College, where she will major in Psychology.

“I couldn’t have won this scholarship without the incredible support I’ve received from JAG-K,” Waun said. “I’ve grown so much – starting as a shy freshman who couldn’t even give a class presentation, to now being a two-time state CDC qualifier.”

This year, for the first time, JAG-K selected two winners of the organization’s Senior Scholarship. Waun and Holcomb High School senior Ashlynn Bradley were selected from an application process that included an essay, resume, a speech, letters of recommendation, and work samples.

“It was tough competition with a lot of deserving applicants. Aubree stood out in the applications because she is working toward becoming a clinical psychologist. Her goal is to help youth with mental health issues,” said Bev Mortimer, JAG-K Senior Vice President of Programming. “Aubree has shown dedication to JAG-K and provided great leadership to her school’s program.”

Waun has participated in the JAG-K program at Parson High School for four years, serving as the school’s Career Association president this year. In addition to her academic achievements, she is a three-time qualifier for the JAG-K state Career Development Conference competition in Career Preparation.

“When I started with JAG-K four years ago, Aubree was part of my freshman class,” said Parsons High School JAG-K Career Specialist Mark Pound. “It has been inspirational to watch Aubree grow into the person she is. She has taken the tools used in JAG to support her personal growth. I know she has a great future in front of her!”

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 36 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.

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