Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Gideon

When you join Jobs for America’s Graduates Kansas (JAG-K), you might not know just how many opportunities will come to you. Hannah Gideon, a graduate from the JAG-K program at Russell High School, understands this deeply.  

“The specialist suggested the class would be an outstanding opportunity to gain skills and real-life experience that I can transfer into my future career, not just within my short time in high school,” Gideon stated. “I had no clue what I was jumping into, but I saw a possible outcome and decided to pursue it to the best of my ability.”  

Throughout her three years in JAG-K, Hannah blossomed as a leader. She served as her program’s President in her first year by chance. She had initially campaigned for Vice President but ended up in the higher role after nobody ran for it. “I was unconfident in my abilities, and I was too afraid to step out of my comfort zone for fear of failure,” Gideon explained. “It took a year of failure, of realizations, and of growth to learn that I can do and achieve the feats that I put my mind to.” 

Hannah also played a part in bringing the Ogallala Commons internship opportunities to her JAG-K program. “After learning from my first internship, I saw the growth and potential that these internships could bring to many students,” She expressed that many students often believe they won’t find opportunities in small towns like Russell. “I wanted other students in our school to grow, to learn, and gain experience so they can step headfirst into their career and learn if it is something they truly wish to be in.” 

“Not only has this highlighted many smaller businesses in our community, but I believe this has helped bridge some of the distance between the younger generations and the community members within Russell,” Gideon explained when reflecting on the internship program. “I hope that students will continue to be offered these opportunities in the future and hopefully inspire other JAG-K Programs to encourage students to break past their barriers and towards a brighter future.” 

Hannah is a strong supporter of her peers, whether they’re her classmates from Russell, or other JAG-K students throughout the state. “Within my 3 years in the JAG-K Program, I have found that my favorite memories are seeing the other students in the program grow to heights they may have never thought possible.” 

Now, Hannah is a student at Kansas State University, studying environmental engineering. She has goals to find a career in water conservation, a passion she found through her internships during her time as a JAG-K student. Recently, Hannah accepted a summer internship working with Burns & McDonnell, in their Environmental Services department as a Civil Engineering Intern.  

“I will always be grateful to the JAG-K organization for their dedication to growing and investing in the qualities of future generations to come,” Gideon closed out her interview with an abundance of gratitude for the program. “In my opinion, JAG-K specialists are truly superheroes in today’s world.” 

We are excited to see where Hannah will journey next, and we are so happy to have had her in our program!  

JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Kansas’ 121 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,000 students in 54 school districts across the state. JAG-K Career Specialists help students graduate and learn career, leadership, and life skills by executing a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model. Participants must meet criteria to be selected for the program and have potential to overcome various barriers to post-secondary success.  

The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 32 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, Barton Community College, EagleU, Goldstein Charitable Trust, Independence Community College, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, Honeywell, John Deere, Johnson County Community College, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, Magellan Financial, Mark One Electric, the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains, U.S. Bank, Walmart and Washburn Tech.  

To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org , or ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.  

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