JAG-K Students Keadan Kearn and Ryah Klima Excited to Attend National Career Development Conference Next Month

More than 200 students from Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAG-K) gathered at Barton Community College in Great Bend on April 5th for the organization’s annual State Career Development Conference (CDC).

At the event, held in person for the first time in three years, students elected officers for next year, competed in areas of job preparedness, and met with potential employers at a job fair.  The event was conducted virtually in 2020 and 2021.

The 200-plus participants competed in events that showcase competencies attained in the JAG-K program.

Concordia High School Senior Ryah Klima placed 1st in Prepared Speaking.

Klima, who serves as the 2021-2022 State Vice President, also finished 3rd in the High School T-Shirt Design competition.

Concordia High School Senior Keadan Kearn placed 2nd overall in Employability Skills.

Teams were also awarded recognition based on their collective performance.  The top four teams came from Great Bend (1st place), Concordia High School (2nd place), Kiowa Co. High School (3rd place), and Garden City High School (4th place).

The winners of the seven different areas of competition (minus the t-shirt competition), earned the opportunity to compete at nationals in Dallas in May.

Participants at CDC had the opportunity to meet with representatives of more than 20 businesses and organizations in a job fair sponsored by the Young Bank Officers of Kansas.  Klima said she enjoyed learning about career opportunities in Kansas.

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.  Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model.

The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 40 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, Evergy, Goldstein Charitable Trust, John Deere, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, Stormont Vail Health, Synchrony Financial, the Taco Bell Foundation and Walmart.