Thirteen A.K. Smith Career Center and MCHS Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students participated in the Region One Career Development Conference at Indiana University Northwest on January 30. Several students won awards in a regional competition held in conjunction with the conference.
Students attending included: Zachery Weis, Torri Allison, Shaylah Barron, Shambriel Bryd, Kayla Patrick, Gene Orzech, Yasmine Spicer, April Williams, Shanterria Daniel, LaNeisha Crawford, Loren Crawford, Catherine Torres, and Anisa Higginbotham.
The Chapter Service Learning Binder constructed by Cassandra Escamilla and Hannah Fredenburg won first place in the region and will be entered in the state JAG competition. Shaylah Barron won third place as a Regional JAG Outstanding Senior; Kayla Patrick won second place in Critical Thinking Skills; Catherine Torres won second place in Writing Skills; and LaNeisha Crawford won third place in Public Speaking.
“Juniors in the JAG class are already talking about preparations for next year’s competition!” said JAG specialist Lori Wilson-Patterson.
JAG students are also involved in two service projects this month.
Through February 13, they will be collecting jeans as part of a “Teens for Jeans” service project. Anyone with gently used jeans is encouraged to bring them to Michigan City High School or the A.K. Smith Center; $5.00 coupons for Aéropostale available for those who donate jeans. The classes are also busy making Valentine’s Day cards to be taken to the local nursing homes.
The JAG program is offered at the A. K. Smith Career Center and is designed to strengthen high school students' skills in areas that will lead to success in post-secondary education and careers.