STATE CAREER ASSOCIATION

STATE CAREER ASSOCIATION

The State Career Association (SCA) officers serve as advisors and advocates for their peers, supporting more than 10,000 iJAG students statewide. These leaders are committed to providing tools, resources, and support that strengthen the iJAG experience and unlock the potential of all students.

The SCA is focused on two key priorities for the 2024-2025 school year:

Engaging and equipping local Career Association chapters: The officers will facilitate regular check-ins to ensure that each student leader’s potential is fully realized.
Supporting JAG National’s service project to combat housing insecurity: The officers will collaborate with all programs to address housing insecurity by organizing drives for food, clothing, and school supplies.

See the full list of student events coming up this year and be sure to follow iJAG on Instagram for special updates from the SCA.

Meet your Iowa officers!

Marys Kapinga

SCA President
Prairie High School

My favorite iJAG memories include the opportunities our officer team gets to travel together where we’ve been able to connect on a deeper level!

Aralyn Anaya

SCA Vice President
Muscatine High School

My favorite iJAG memory was attending NCDC and watching our workshop come to life! It felt amazing to know that what we presented actually made an impact, and that moment really reminded me why I love being a part of iJAG!

Mallory Young

SCA Secretary
Muscatine High School

My favorite iJAG memory was attending NSLA in Washington, DC. It was an incredible experience where I grew as a leader and made new friends from across the country while representing Iowa.

Gracelyn Peak

SCA Parliamentarian
GMG High School

My favorite iJAG memory was meeting with the other officers after the Leadership Development Conference and everyone being so excited to be elected!

iJAG Alumni Serving as JAG National Officers

Alontae Gross

NCA Parliamentarian:

2024 - 2025

DSM North High School
Class of 2023
Favorite iJAG memory:
Being selected as the first-ever SCA President. It was an achievement I never thought possible. Winning this title and making history showed me that I’m capable of being a leader and that my hard work does not go unrecognized.

Kira Canada

NCA President:

2023 - 2024

Waukee High School
Class of 2023

Favorite iJAG memory:
Assembling and distributing care bags to homeless people in shelters around the city.

2023-2024 National Career Association President, Iowa’s Kira Canada!

From Des Moines to D.C., Kira Canada is trailblazing her own path. As the President of the National Career Association (NCA), this iJAG alum is helping influence career development programming and the JAG student experience nationwide.

Favorite iJAG memory: “Assembling and distributing care bags to homeless people in shelters around the city.”

iJAG experience that has helped you the most: “Not winning a student competition at the state Career Development Conference. It was the best loss I ever took because I ended up becoming the first-ever President-elect for the NCA. When one door closes, another opens!”

Career aspirations: Criminal defense attorney

Role model: Michelle Obama

Starbucks drink: Venti iced blonde shaken espresso with caramel syrup, vanilla sweet cream cold foam, and extra caramel drizzle!

“Kira represents Iowa with grace, poise and conviction. Her passion and care for students shines through everywhere she goes – whether that be a national conference in Orlando or a local high school funcion. Students just flock to her!” – President & CEO Dr. Wendy Mihm-Herold

Watch a special feature about Kira on WHO-TV.