They filed into Raintree Hall at Indiana University Northwest (IUN) in Gary, bright and early, unaware of any expectations other than knowing it was time to showcase a skill they learned and practiced for a chance to capture first place and move on to a state competition.
Over ninety local high school students took part in the JAG Career Development Conference (CDC) for JAG on Friday, January 30, 2015. JAG stands for Jobs for America’s Graduates, a national initiative dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at-risk. The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board was instrumental in bringing JAG to Northwest Indiana as part of their youth strategy and the program has had a presence in Northwest Indiana since 2006. Over 1000 youth have participated in the program and transitioned to post-secondary education and training, military, or employment. Currently there are 300 area youth looking to make the same transition.
“The CDC is one way for us to prepare these youth for the future through competing in events that showcase critical thinking skills, communication skills, and employability skills,” said Tamara Stump, who is a Senior Workforce Associate at the Center of Workforce Innovations and oversees the local JAG program. “This daylong event allows them to advance and compete at the state finals in Indianapolis,” added Stump.
Excitement resonated during the opening ceremony, where Dr. Mark Lawrence McPhail, Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at IUN, gave a brief welcome and talk about his journey and the unlimited resources and opportunities out there for those seeking to move on and upward successfully through life. Following McPahil’s address, nervousness heightened as the students were instructed to go to their assigned chapter event rooms where the competitions were to begin.
Competitive events included Career Presentation, Creative Solutions, Critical Thinking, Employability Skills, Financial Literacy, Public Speaking, Writing Skills, and Entrepreneurship Planning. There were also three events where students were judged on entries that required a more artistic and technical side—producing a JAG Chapter commercial, a marketing brochure, and the cover design for the CDC Program. One pre-event interview and judging category was Outstanding Senior. This recognition was awarded upon a senior, who through the JAG program not only demonstrated leadership, drive, and scholastic achievement, but was also involved with community service.
Throughout the day several students shared challenges and obstacles they faced prior to enrolling into the JAG program. From selling drugs and getting caught up with the wrong crowd, to the lack of parental guidance. They talked about the JAG program providing them with job opportunities, experience, and knowledge in order to refocus and move onward with their lives. They stood humble and proud at all they had accomplished and credited JAG teachers for helping guide them on mapping out a college or career path; many touted the various college acceptances they received. One student said he realized that he had a choice; either progress upward or stand immobile and potentially progress downward. He chose to progress upward with the help of JAG.
After lunch and a snack from sponsor Chicagoland Popcorn, the students returned to the auditorium for a lively game of JAG Jeopardy, testing their knowledge on college preparation and process. Following Jeopardy it was time for to announce first, second, and third place event awards.
This year’s first place winners who will be headed to Indianapolis for the JAG State competition are:
Career Presentation-Alexis Ford, East Chicago Central High School
Creative Solutions-Michael Talaga, Knox High School
Critical Thinking-Khalia Moore, East Chicago Central High School and Thomas Shaw, Knox High School
Employability Skills-Shenia Coles, East Chicago Central High School
Financial Literacy-Miya Bailey, Wirt/Emerson Visual & Performing Arts High School
Public Speaking-Cidnee Stewart, West Side Leadership Academy
Writing Skills-Skylar Marks, Calumet New Tech High School
Entrepreneurship Planning-Bobbie Maasen and Emily Fleece, Knox High School
Outstanding Senior-Loren Crawford, AK Smith Area Career Center
Cover Design-Chris Neighbors, Wirt Emerson Visual & Performing Arts School
Chapter Commercial-Knox High School
Chapter Marketing Brochure-Knox High School
For further information, contact Barb Grimsgard, Communications Manager at the Center of Workforce Innovations at 219-462-2940, ext. 28 or bgrimsgard@innovativeworkforce.com.