INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced the Jobs for America's Graduates Indiana students who won awards at the 2024 National JAG Career Development Conference.
The National CDC is the pinnacle experience for JAG youth across the country to demonstrate their professional skills, explore career options, connect with employers and create pathways for their future. Top students from the JAG Indiana state CDC, which took place in March, traveled to compete, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Local students who won awards were Gunnar Crispin, Tippecanoe Valley High School, who won fourth place for prepared speaking; and Payton Hamby, Manchester Jr./Sr. High School, who won seventh for prepared speaking.
At the National CDC, students from approximately 38 states compete in events that highlight the employability skills they have learned through the program. This year's national competition took place April 18-20 in St. Louis, Mo.
"Through JAG Indiana, we at DWD see the educational and professional impact the program has on students," said DWD Commissioner Richard Paulk. "Their recognition and accomplishments on the national stage are encouraging votes of confidence in our expansion efforts. The students’ success is a reminder of why Governor Holcomb committed to doubling the number of JAG students to 11,000 by the end of his term. JAG hones students’ innate talents and abilities, enabling them to make a long-term positive impact on workforce throughout the state of Indiana."
DWD is expanding JAG with the goal of impacting 11,000 Indiana students through 250 programs annually and looking to launch programs at more middle and high schools as well as some universities by the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. Schools interested in JAG expansion are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/jag to learn more.
Continuing with honors from the National CDC, six JAG Indiana students were named 2024 Kenneth M. Smith scholars, including Carleigh Blevins, Manchester Jr./Sr. High School. This scholarship is awarded to JAG high school seniors who will pursue a post-secondary degree or certificate after graduating from high school. That can include enrolling in a two-year community college, technical college, four-year college or university or an apprenticeship or trade school.
JAG is a state-based, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students of promise who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences achieve academic success through graduation.