INDIANAPOLIS (April 24, 2024) – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development congratulates Jobs for America’s Graduates Indiana students for accolades garnished through their efforts at the 2024 National JAG Career Development Conference.
Esther Bankole-Brown, a student at Avon High School, ranked 1st in Employability Skills.
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.
Award Winning JAG Indiana students Include:
- 1st – Employability Skills: Esther Bankole-Brown, Avon High School
- 1st – Project Based Learning: Scottsburg High School
- 4th – Prepared Speaking: Gunnar Crispin, Tippecanoe Valley High School
- 7th – Prepared Speaking: Payton Hamby, Manchester Jr./Sr. High School
- 8th – Prepared Speaking: Aleah Dean, Austin High School
Additionally, JAG programs at Austin High School and DeKalb High School were named Outstanding Chapters for their work recording and preserving their JAG chapter’s achievements during the school year.
Additionally, JAG programs at Austin High School and DeKalb High School were named Outstanding Chapters for their work recording and preserving their JAG chapter’s achievements during the school year.
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, Missouri.
“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. Currently, JAG Indiana is over 60% of the way toward completing its goal. 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.
- Carleigh Blevins, Manchester Jr./Sr. High School;
- Diana Cortez-Sanchez, Jasper High School;
- JC Matlock, Greenfield Central High School;
- Callee Riggle, North Putnam High School;
- Jacob Shopher, Muncie Central High School; and
- Andrea Williams, Mitchell 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. Students learn up to 88 competencies such as critical thinking, team leadership and effective communications skills to increase employability.
