Local students perform well at Job for America’s Graduates competition
Southwest Indiana Workforce shared the results of the Region 11 students who competed at the state Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Competition. Southridge students performed well in two of the competitions.
These 14 students from nine Southwestern Indiana counties attended the state competition after placing at the Career Development Conference in February.
JAG programs across Southwestern Indiana Region 11 provide services to young adults to help them get a high school diploma, secure a quality job, enlist in the military and pursue post-secondary education that leads to advancement in their career field.
JAG students compete in 12 different categories, either as a class or individually. Class competitions include Chapter Brochures, Chapter Commercials, and Entrepreneurship Plans. Individual competitions include Cover Design, Career Presentation, Creative Solutions, Critical Thinking, Employability Skills, Financial Literacy, Public Speaking, Writing Skills, and Outstanding Senior.
Students who advanced to the State Competition included:
Chapter Commercial – Tell City High School
Chapter Brochure – Tell City High School
Business Plan – Southridge High School
Creative Decision Making – Lincoln High School
Project-Based Learning – Lincoln High School
Digital Invitation and Cover Design – Kate Jones, Lincoln High School
Career Preparation – Jason Cecil, Lincoln High School
Employability Skills – BB McCrary, Lincoln High School
Financial Literacy – Briana Kaiser, Lincoln High School
Prepared Speaking – Zoe Payne, Southridge High School
Outstanding Senior – Kaitlyn Clark, Pike Central High School
“It’s so much fun to see our students experience all the emotions as they competed—excited, scared, nervous—but most of all, proud of both themselves and each other,” said Southwest Indiana Workforce JAG Manager Chrissy Ash. “The hard work of these students was on full display as they showcased their talents, grew as leaders, and continued to take steps toward bright futures.”
JAG is a state-based, national non-profit organization within the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Region 11 counties include Vanderburgh, Posey, Pike, Perry, Gibson, Knox, Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois.
In Region 11, the JAG program started in the 2007-2008 school year at Vincennes Lincoln High School.
The JAG specialist in each school leads, guides, and encourages the students as they participate throughout the school year in a number of classroom activities and projects, including career presentations, creative solutions, critical thinking, public speaking, writing, and financial literacy. In addition to structured activities, the JAG specialists provide counseling, understanding, and encouragement.
Southwest Indiana Workforce now has 16 JAG Programs in schools. Six programs began in middle and high schools this year.
- Bosse High School – Evansville
- Gibson Southern High School – Fort Branch
- Princeton Community High School – Princeton
- Jasper High School – Jasper
- Southridge High School – Huntingburg
- Tell City High School – Tell City
- Mount Vernon High School – Mount Vernon
- Lincoln High School – Vincennes
- Pike Central High School – Petersburg
- Perry Central Community School – Leopold
- Boonville High School – Boonville
- Wood Memorial High School – Oakland City
- George Rogers Clark Middle School – Vincennes
- South Spencer High School – Reo
- South Spencer Middle School – Reo
- Princeton Community Middle School – Princeton
Southwest Indiana Workforce is proud of the JAG Program throughout Region 11 and congratulates all the students for their hard work at this year’s competitions.
