Student Success Story: Zamir

“It was probably the best decision I’ve made in school so far,” recalls Zamir Loyo Reynaga, a former Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAG-K) Student out of Westridge Middle School in Overland Park. “Just because of the friends I’ve made and also the things they’ve taught me in JAG-K.”

Zamir’s JAG-K story is a unique one, as his story doesn’t start in Kansas. Originally from Nevada, Zamir came to Kansas City for a unique opportunity – Joining Sporting KC as a professional soccer midfielder at just 15 years old. This is a historic achievement – Zamir is the youngest player in the club’s history to represent Sporting KC II (SKC II). SKC II is Sporting KC’s reserve team that plays in Major League Soccer’s Next Pro League. Zamir practices with Sporting Kansas City’s first and second team interchangeably and has plans to play with Sporting KC I next season.

Initially, Zamir was set to play with a soccer club closer to home. However, the pieces fell into place, and he ended up in Kansas City instead. While he’s far from home, he’s excelling on the field and in school.

“I don’t know that I’ve had a student that could have fun and be a middle school kid when they’re at school and then at the same time leaving town for tournaments Friday through Sunday, getting back Sunday night and then come back to school on Monday,” Says Rebecca Cornett, JAG-K Specialist at Westridge Middle School. “I feel like he kind of kept it more private, but to have that balance and humility, I don’t think that I’ve seen that before.”

“I think the thing that helped me most in JAG-K was the leadership skills that they’ve taught me,” Zamir explained as he reflected on his time in the classroom. “I think it’s pretty similar to what we learned in soccer on the field, communicating with others and knowing when to go, and when not to and overall communicating with others to help each other out.”

But how does one manage being a high school student and a professional athlete? For Zamir, it comes naturally. After mornings filled with training and time with both first and second teams at Sporting KC, his afternoons are typically reserved for homework and hanging out, and there’s maybe even some time to play video games! “I’ve been really busy with soccer and that just makes me happy and pretty excited,” Zamir stated when talking about his day-to-day routines.

JAG-K is proud of Zamir, and we can’t wait to continue watching him in action with Sporting KC!

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’ 120 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 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 AT&T, Barton Community College, EagleU, Independence Community College, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, John Deere, Johnson County Community College, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, 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.