JAG-K STUDENTS COMPETE AT NORTHEAST REGIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Competitions showcase students’ competencies in interviewing, job preparedness, teamwork, communications, and leadership.
MANHATTAN, KS. (March 9, 2018) – The Career Development Conference (CDC) is a one-day event that allows students the opportunity to showcase the skills they are learning in the JAG-K classroom. CDC events include Public Speaking, Employability Skills, Math Skills, Project Based Learning, Mapping My Future, and JAG-K Entrepreneurs. The competitions allow students the opportunity to showcase the skills they are learning in the competency-based curriculum of the JAG-K program.
Each of the six regions will host a CDC this year with the top finishers in each event from the Regional Conferences advancing to compete at the State Career Development Conference on April 18 at Emporia State University. The Northeast Region was first of six regional events, hosted in the new Business Building on campus at Kansas State University. Kiana Chandler, Topeka High School, placed second in Employability Skills. Her goal for the state competition is, “to have fun and win.”
Students from Atchison High School, Emporia High School, Highland Park High School, Lawrence Free State High School, Lawrence High School, Royal Valley High School (Hoyt), Seaman High School, Shawnee Heights High School, Topeka High School, and Topeka West High School participated in the Northeast Regional CDC.
CDC Events included Public Speaking, Employability Skills, Math Skills, Project Based Learning, Mapping My Future, and JAG-K Entrepreneurs. The competitions allowed students the opportunity to showcase the skills they are learning in the competency-based curriculum of the JAG-K program.
The top four finishers in each event advanced to compete at the State Career Development Conference on April 18 at Emporia State University.
Congratulations to the following individuals (listed 1st – 4th place):
Public Speaking: Analisa R., Highland Park HS; Tonyce J., Topeka HS; Evelin B., Emporia HS; Lucy M., Royal Valley HS.
Project Based Learning: Aniikah S. and Hailey H., Emporia HS; Jenny V. and Paola M., Emporia HS; JT R. and Justin E., Shawnee Heights HS; Tanuelle J., Topeka HS.
Employability Skills: Crystal C., Emporia HS; Kiana C., Topeka HS; Steven G., Emporia HS; Keesis P., Royal Valley HS.
Math Skills: Jason M., Topeka HS; Eden B., Atchison HS; Evan S., Lawrence Free State HS; Tre’ B., Seaman HS.
Mapping My Future: Nicole C., Shawnee Heights HS; Nayely Z., Emporia HS; Crosby R., Lawrence HS; Jamaruia P., Topeka HS.
JAG-K Entrepreneurs: Rae’chel A. and Torey L., Lawrence Free State HS; Meaghan K. and Ethan A., Royal Valley HS; Lee W. and Jonte M., Topeka HS; Manuel C. and Maricruz A., Emporia HS.
Emporia HS Grades 11-12 and Topeka HS tied for first place in the team points challenge. Emporia was awarded first place using a tiebreaker of the school with the most first place finishers.
JAG-K students enjoyed participating in a Kansas State University College Browsing Fair, completing a Career Inventory Assessment, visiting with a Career Coach, and guided campus tours.
About JAG-K
JAG-K is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that partners with students facing various barriers to success, helping them graduate high school and on to a successful career path. JAG-K currently has 68 programs in 33 Kansas school districts, serving more than 3,100 students. The organization is expanding in 2018-19 to include new programs in Beloit, Shawnee Mission, and Topeka.
Knapp indicates there is more demand for the program than available resources.
Funding for the program primarily comes from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars, administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. JAG-K is an affiliate of the national JAG program that operates in 34 states and territories. In addition to school districts, JAG-K partners with DCF and the Kansas State Department of Education. JAG-K also relies on private funds from contributors including AT&T, John Deere Aetna Foundation, and Amerigroup Foundation.
Anyone interested in more information about JAG-K may visit the website at www.jagkansas.org.
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