Page 10 - January 2018 JobReady

JAG Leaders, Students Represent the State at National Conference

obs for Arkansas Graduates
students and teachers
Jparticipated in the 2017 Jobs for
America’s Graduates National Student
Leadership Academy in Washington,
D.C., from Nov. 29 through Dec.
1. Nineteen students from seven
Arkansas High Schools attended
the conference, participating in team
building exercises and competitive
events in four categories: Public
Speaking, Math Skills, Employability
Skills, and Project-Based Learning.
With over 400 students from
33 states competing, Arkansas is
proud to announce that Laura Leal
Ortiz, a senior from Heber Springs
High School, placed first in the
Math Competitive Event, and Kierra
Humphrey, Vanessa Rogers-Wright, Jobs for Arkansas Graduates (JAG) Educators attend the Jobs for America's Graduates
and Jakiya Ursery, all of Parkview (JAG) National Student Leadership Academy in Washington D.C.
High School, placed third as a
team in the Project Based Learning National Above and Beyond Award Governor Hutchinson at the JAG
Competitive Event. Special thanks for her efforts in fundraising and Board of Trustees Meeting held during
are extended to the JAG teachers for implementation of the JAG model in the national event.
helping the students to prepare for Arkansas school districts. Tate served The Jobs for Arkansas Graduates
the competition: Mary Perkins-Jacobs as Jobs for Arkansas Graduates State program is represented in 113 schools
(State Competition Coordinator, J.A. Coordinator for 10 years. across the state and serves more
Fair High), Gladys Godley (Parkview Chris Massingill, an Arkansan and than 2,000 students. The curriculum
High), Ricky Grisham (Sloan-Hendrix former Chairman of the Delta Regional focuses on dropout prevention among
High), Gracia Stroud (Sylvan Hills Authority, was presented with the students who are most at-risk. For
High), Cheryl Burns (Bald Knob High), Hope and Opportunity Partnership the past 11 years, Arkansas has
Karen Purvis (Mena High), Gaye Stark Award during the Leadership Awards received the coveted “5 of 5” award,
(Heber Springs High), Gloria Whale reception, for his outstanding efforts to recognizing that students in the JAG
(Joe T. Robinson High), Stephanie increase opportunities for students in program have a significantly greater
K’Nuckles (McClellan High), and Mary the Arkansas Delta. potential to graduate high school, get
Hines (Hall High). The conference was also attended a job, keep the job, have a full-time job
Students attending the national by Shannon Buckner, Special or enroll in postsecondary education or
conference competed and received Populations Program Manager, and the military.
first, second or third place at the Sonja Wright McMurray, Associate Jobs for Arkansas Graduates is
Jobs for Arkansas Graduates State Director for Career and Technical funded by the Arkansas Department
Competition. Entergy, Inc. and Education – Special Projects. Buckner of Career Education with addditonal
Department of Workforce Services/ and McMurray serve on staff at the support from Entergy, Inc., AT&T,
Temporary Assistance for Needy Arkansas Department of Career Tyson Foods, and Arkansas
Families division provided grant Education. Governor Asa Hutchinson Department of Workforce Services. If
funding for student participation at the serves as one of twelve Governors you or your business is interested in
National Student Leadership Academy. on the Jobs for National Graduates learning more, please contact Sonja
Jobs for America’s Graduates, in a Board. Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Wright-McMurray at sonja.mcmurray@
special Leadership Awards ceremony, Director of the Arkansas Department
honored Marylene Tate with the of Career Education, represented arkansas.gov.

10