THE DRIVE TO SERVE AND INNOVATE IOWA’S RURAL COMMUNITIES

Thomas Tremel

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. While under the supervision of his iJAG mentors, these experiences gave Thomas the chance to gain a new type of independence and self-sufficiency. From creating and managing a new routine to taking public transportation, shopping for groceries, and living in an unfamiliar city, Thomas built resiliency and new skills that will stick with him for a lifetime. 

This school year, Thomas served as a special speaker during the ribbon cutting of the new CTE Regional Learning Center in Woodbine. The Center reflects a new, innovative approach to career development – a 3+1 program model – and a partnership between iJAG, IGNITE Pathways, and Woodbine Community Schools. The center currently serves more than 200 students in rural, west-central Iowa.

Thomas Tremmel

iJAG has been a powerful resource for me to achieve things that there would be no way that I could do alone. Being part of iJAG is an incredible tool that has allowed a kid from a small town to achieve an incredible amount of success, which I don’t think would be possible without iJAG.”