News Release: Former Garden City JAG-K Student Makes His Mark in Movie and TV Industry

With a mother employed by Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K), Issac Silva’s connection to the organization began in his home. He’s gone a long way since then, applying lessons he learned in JAG-K on the big and small screen.

The 2016 graduate of Garden City High School has appeared in many commercials, music videos, movies, and print advertisements.

Silva’s mother served for several years as a Career Specialist at Garden City High School. His parents also provided foster care in their home. So, when Silva reached high school, he decided to join the program. He believed not only would it help him prepare for life after high school, but it would help him relate to the children his parents cared for.

“Because they were foster parents before I was born, I never knew anything different,” Silva said. “I watched the way my parents parented those children. It showed me that everybody deserves a chance. If you meet someone where they’re at and show them grace, everyone can achieve great things.”

Early in high school, Silva determined to pursue a career in acting. He learned about leadership and work skills in JAG-K. He served as the state president of the JAG-K student association as a senior. Public speaking competitions helped him hone his skills.

“I knew what I wanted to do, so my focus was ‘How do I get there?’” Silva said. “The opportunities that JAG-K provided helped solidify my dreams and that there’s a path to get there. JAG-K was a confidence booster for me because the people trusted me and encouraged me. They said ‘You can figure it out and we’re going to be behind you every step of the way.’”

After high school, Silva entered a four-year program at an art school in Los Angeles. The challenging road to a career in entertainment has seen Silva work at various jobs and play numerous roles.

Silva’s breakthrough opportunity came shortly after he moved to Los Angeles when he appeared in the 2018 movie 12 Strong. He can be seen weekly on the Rebecca Zamolo channel, as well as in music videos with artists Chiquis Rivera, Kasey Musgraves, and Alec Benjamin. He has appeared on television commercials for Lumin, Pindaloo and the US Army. He has done hundreds of internet commercials for companies such as Disney, Universal Studios, Target, and Nerf. His modeling credits including an InStyle magazine photo shoot with Jennifer Coolidge. 

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.

Silva said JAG-K can help any student, regardless of their career goals.

“The JAG-K Career Specialists are really good at understanding students with different personality types and helping them feel affirmed for who they are and finding the resources that are available to them,” Silva said.

Kansas’ 114 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,200 students in 48 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. Last year, JAG-K had 805 high school graduates.

The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 36 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, EagleU, Goldstein Charitable Trust, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, Honeywell, John Deere, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains, U.S. Bank, and Walmart.

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

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