STATE CAREER ASSOCIATION

STATE CAREER ASSOCIATION

The State Career Association (SCA) officers are advisors and advocates for their peers, which spans more than 8,200 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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

Zeke Christensen

Zeke Christensen

SCA President
Harlan High School - Junior
Favorite iJAG memory:
Being elected at LDC 2024 was euphoric. It feels like everything you've worked towards paid off when you have a crowd of people chanting your name.
iJAG as a community was able to lift me up off my feet and hopefully, I can help others do the same.
Lexi Vazquez

Lexi Vazquez

SCA Vice President
GMG High School - Senior
Favorite iJAG memory:
Attending a Christmas-themed dinner at the Terrace Hill Mansion with the Governor as iJAG SCA VP.
Favorite thing about iJAG:
the valuable connections and opportunities iJAG has granted me.
Adriana Jimenez

Adriana Jimenez

SCA Secretary
Waukee - Junior
Favorite iJAG memory:
attending the National Career Development Conference and going up in the arch in St. Louis, Missouri!!
Samiah Hayslett

Samiah Hayslett

SCA Parliamentarian
Waukee Northwest - Senior
Favorite iJAG memory:
Speaking at the SDC event where we prepared meals for Meals from the Heartland. The atmosphere was electric, with lots of cheering and conversation, and it was inspiring to see so many students getting involved to help others.

iJAG Alumni Serving as JAG National Officers

Alontae Gross

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

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.