News Release: JAG-K Students Participate in “Marine for a Day” Activity

More than 60 JAG-K participants from 10 different schools recently took part in “Marine for a Day” events hosted by the 9 ^th Marine Corps District Recruiting Station in Kansas City.

Groups of students met in Hays and Manhattan last week for introductions to the Marine Corps as part of JAG-K’s mission to present a variety of options for after high school.

JAG-K offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. One of the important features of JAG-K is employer engagement. Students are regularly introduced to a wide range of jobs and careers through field trips, job shadows, internships and summer or part-time employment.

In Hays, students participated in physical training sessions, including running, agility training and pushup and pullup contests. Those gathered in Manhattan took a 3.5-mile hike on the Konza Prairie carrying loaded rucksacks. Both groups ate MREs (the military’s iconic “meal ready to eat”) for lunch and were given the opportunity to learn about careers and training in the Marines.

“My favorite part of the day was the running,” said Goodland High School junior Tristen Austin. “I learned how to push myself to finish, and that made feel really good about myself. I learned to overcome what I was struggling with and finish.”

Seventeen JAG-K students from the most recent group of graduates enlisted in the armed forces.

“Structure, character building, service, sacrifice, career and education development opportunities, there are so many benefits to joining the military that could set someone up to be successful in life,” said Joni Bolen, JAG-K Director of Employer Engagement. “We have worked closely with the Marine Corps in particular to present students the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about enlisting in that branch of the military. They have been very supportive of JAG-K’s mission.”

Kansas’ 114 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,000 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.

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, 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, X and LinkedIn.

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