iJAG/GEAR UP officers installed at Miller Middle School

Initiation and Installation ceremonies were held at Miller Middle School and Marshalltown High School recently to welcome new officers for the schools' iJAG and GEAR UP programs.

Read more at: www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us

iJAG students learn to develop careers

Des Moines Register
By Lisa Colonno

Lincoln students win eight achievement awards at Des Moines conference.

More than 300 students from across Iowa recently attended the Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (iJAG) 10^th annual career development conference in Des Moines.

About 100 students received achievement awards for outstanding demonstration in career development skills at the April 23 event at the Polk County Convention Complex.

The participating iJAG students competed in events such as extemporaneous speaking, employability skills, team research, a marketing competition and proficiency 101. Volunteers served as judges.

Students in Lincoln High School’s iJAG program won seven gold medals and one bronze.

The Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates board of directors sponsors the conference each year for students in the state’s 18 programs.

Students who participate in the program are often those who struggle with the current structure of learning, according to a news release.

The program has a 93% average graduation rate over the past eight years and 91 percent of the graduates transition into continued education and/or work.

10th Anniversary Event

In 1999 iJAG began as a tiny nonprofit operating in 10 schools within a budget of $250,000.  It’s hard to believe that just 10 years later iJAG is operating 27 programs in 24 schools and employs 33 full-time, professional level staff with an operational budget of over $2 million!  Apparantly “time flies when you’re having fun”!

Considering all that has happened in the last 10 years it’s important that we take advantage of the opportunity to reflect on our history, celebrate our success, and set our vision for the future.  In honor of this milestone iJAG will be hosting a series of celebratory events.  On the evening of October 13^th the Davis Brown Law firm will be generously hosting iJAG and 120 of our closest friends, including former and current board members as well as civic, business, and community leaders from across the state.  October 13^th will be a great testimony to how far iJAG has come.  We are looking forward to hearing from current students and alumni about what a difference the program has made in their lives and are anxious to introduce iJAG to new friends in order to pave the way for the future.  On October 14^th, iJAG will be hosting a breakfast celebration in conjunction with the annual Leadership Development Conference.  The Science Center of Iowa will be hosting us as we continue to celebrate our anniversary – this time with students, staff and board members.  The October 14^th event will be a great opportunity for iJAG to celebrate ten years of outstanding performance and unlocking student potential.

We are very much looking forward to celebrating the momentous occasion with many of the people who have shaped iJAG’s history and as well as with those who are helping us chart our course for the future!