THE DRIVE TO SERVE AND INNOVATE IOWA’S RURAL COMMUNITIES
Thomas Tremel is a current senior at Woodbine High School taking full advantage of the opportunities iJAG has presented him. During the summer of 2023, he completed two finance-related internships with iJAG and Principal Financial Group nearly two hours away from home.
THE DRIVE TO HELP YOUTH OVERCOME BARRIERS
Perseverance (“Percy”) Narcisse is a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, and her name lends itself to her character. In the last months of her senior year, Percy quickly pivoted away from plans to attend Iowa State University when she found out she was pregnant. Months into her pregnancy, her father passed away unexpectedly.
Discovering passion and taking action
Terry Liggins is a senior at Clinton High School (CHS) and part of iJAG’s 11/12 program. If you ask Terry, he will tell you that before joining the program, he had no career plans. Now, he has invested in discovering what his passions are and how to pursue them. When asked why Terry loves iJAG at CHS, he said “iJAG feels like a family who cares about me as a person and what my future goals are.”
Meet State Career Association Officer: Adriana
Like many students, Adriana Jimenez attended an iJAG class uncertain of the opportunities that would transpire. Listen to a special video testimony where she talks about her journey from the first day she stepped inside an iJAG classroom to where she is today. “iJAG honestly changed my life,” said Adrianna.
A DRIVE TO IOWA EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE & CONTINUED CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
Dr. Skylar Mayberry-Mayes is an iJAG alum whose passion for civic and social responsibility has never waivered since he graduated from North High School in Davenport. Skylar started his path to educational excellence by earning a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa (Finance) followed by a Master’s degree from Iowa State University (MBA) and later, a doctoral degree from Drake University (Ph.D) – making his future extremely bright just based on academic achievement alone! But Skylar’s accomplishments continued well beyond education.
Student Spotlight: “If it doesn’t fit my morals and goals, it doesn’t deserve my time.”
Melanny Garcia Flores came to the United States in September 2016 from El Salvador. She was held at an immigration center for two months in Texas until her uncle was able to get custody and take her to New York. In July 2019, she arrived in Storm Lake to live with her aunt. This journey was very difficult for a nine-year-old, but she perceived it to be an inspiration to work hard so that she could have better opportunities. She also wanted her siblings and parents to be proud of her given the sacrifices they had made for her.
A students’ take on Legislative Days
Legislative Days give students the chance to meet with local and state leaders to promote the impact of iJAG and share their personal stories and aspirations for the future while putting their leadership and soft skills into practice. This year, more than 250 students visited the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines across two separate days. During the event, we were able to catch up with iJAG senior, Sisi, of Cedar Rapids Prairie High School. Read more in this article about her journey from Africa and how our program has inspired her plans for the future.
iJAG Systems of Support
What’s the importance of iJAG’s middle school program model? A comprehensive support system filled with strategies that help youth remediate early onset academic challenges, get connected with community resources at a young age, and receive awareness about potential career paths!
Be a virtual judge! The 2024 Career Development Conference
Volunteer and support the state’s largest youth leadership conference of the year! iJAG is looking for virtual volunteers to judge preliminary student competitions between February 5 – 9, 2024. Competitions include Business Plan, Career Prep, Prepared Speaking, Project-Based Learning Showcase, Employability Skills, and the L.O.V.E. Project.
iJAG student wins statewide skilled trades competition
Our drive to jobs in skilled trades is creating sparks! As employer partnerships continue to grow, so do opportunities for our students.
Just last week, iJAG student Matthew Deshamp of GMG High School earned first place in a welding competition open to students across the state. The competition took place at the Skilled Trades Convention hosted by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Iowa.