10

During the 2003-04 school year, the JMG program accomplished many tasksto play an important part in the community. The Mississippi Christian FamilyServices Center was selected for the majority of JMG services. MCFSC is aplace in the community where citizens may attend if they have problemsrelated to the mental aspects of their lives. It is open to the entire state ofMississippi for anyone who needs help to live an independent life to thefullest extent possible.

Each month MCFSC mails out requests to individuals, businesses and otherorganizations that are willing to donate or do volunteer work to allow theorganization to continue. The JMG class has taken on the responsibility offolding MCFSC’s newsletters to be mailed out to supporters to raise funds.

During the month of October, the class spent the day folding letters anddoing other chores to enhance the quality of life for MCFSC’s clients.

The class arrived early enough to take part in the daily devotional services.They were entertained by the residents of MCFSC. We ate lunch prepared bythe Center and started back to work after lunch. During break time, gameswere played between the JMG students and the clients.

Mrs. Susie Evans is the director of the center, and she has supported theJMG program from its inception in 1995. She has provided transportation forstudents to travel to and from the CDC conferences. She has been willing tospeak to the class on topics pertaining to our class objectives and talk froman employer’s perspective.

This successful JMG class placed emphasis on completing the curriculum tothe point where each student would be prepared to compete in the world ofwork. Emphasis and a lot of pride were placed on the materials included inthe JAG curriculum. The students worked hard to prepare for the state levelCDC where 26 school districts competed. JMG’s South Delta program wasawarded the best overall events for having won the most trophies. Studentsprepared a grocery bag mirroring careers that each visualized themselvesbeing in ten years from graduation.

During the I&I, the entire JMG class was inducted. As a reward for thesuccess of the students, a picnic was conducted. The picnic was sponsoredby the Job Specialist and program supporters.

The job shadowing activity allowed students to experience first hand theskills that are involved in their chosen field. Students had the opportunity towork with and to experience skills related to businesses that included theBank of Anguilla, Fred’s Discount Store and Pharmacy, Dollar General,Brook’s Law Firm, the Sharkey County Department Of Human Services,Sharkey County Sheriff Department, Service Lumber Company, MatthewsDay Care Center, Mississippi Christian Family Service, Rolling Force PoliceDepartment and South Delta School District.

A Year in the Life of… South Delta High School

Rolling Fork, MS

SDHS JMG student Ryan Stevensonshadows Bank of Anguilla Teller DorothyWallace.

Attorney Sarah Brooks instructs SDHS JMGstudent LaKrissa Stevenson as office manager,Hazel Ann Sandifer looks on.

Clerk Donna Anderson, SDHS JMG studentJacqueline Williams, Tax Assessor/CollectorTracy Brown and Clerk, Rosie Smith.

Clerk Donna Baugh, Sharkey CountyChancery/Circuit Clerk Murinda Williams andclerk, Patricia Thrasher, provide shadowing forSDHS JMG student LaTarsha Knox(seated).

Victoria Hays and Bernita Gates, SDHSJMG students shadow Fannie Sampson,Department of Human Services Director.

s

The JAzG Mission in ActionJAG students from across Jobs for Arizona’s Graduate programsdemonstrated their awesome skills and program accomplishments atthe 2004 Career Development Conference. A real celebratory attitudesurrounded this year’s conference as students competed in a number ofindividual and team competitions, presented their Program of Work,attended three of twelve workshop choices, networked with employersat the Job Fair, and cheered as $54,000 of scholarships were awarded.Mathew Barnett, a senior at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, summa-rized the conference’s success hosted by Arizona State University, andco-sponsored by GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 Systems and Cox Charities.“It was a really great experience, thank you; I wish I was a junior so Icould do it all over again.”

Iowa-Jobs for America’s GraduatesReceives Funding

In one of the toughest budget years in Iowa history I-JAG, Inc. receives$400,000 to expand the JAG program. The Legislators sent a clearmessage when they approved the funding for I-JAG, Inc. “The success ofyoung people in school and transitioning to continued education and workis critical to Iowa’s economy.” It is this type of bi-partisan support that hasallowed the I-JAG program to develop a solid foundation and expand,reaching over 2,060 students in five years.

In an effort to make clear the need for funding for I-JAG, JAG NationalBoard of Director members, including Tom Tauke and Julie NixonEisenhower; JAG National; the Governor and Lt. Governor; and the I-JAGBoard of Directors spent time with Iowa leaders providing data regardingthe programs success with students. Current students and past graduatesfrom the I-JAG program spent two days at the Iowa Capitol talking to legis-lators about the program and how it has positively impacted their lives.Students were equipped with 350 cookies sporting the I-JAG logo andmessages asking to support the I-JAG program. These were handdelivered to key legislators and legislators from I-JAG program areas.Members from the I-JAG Board of Directors and the Governor’s Office sentmany e-mails and made phone calls in support of the program and theimportant role it plays in the future of the workforce and economy in Iowa.

A cheer could be heard across Iowa when the Lt. Governor announced toschools that the $400,000 was approved by the legislature. Thank you toall who helped to make this happen. Iowa’s future is a little brighterbecause of it.

11

Georgia’s Multi-Year AwardsLuncheon Attracts 400 Students

The Jobs for Georgia Graduates Multi-Year Luncheon was held on April 23rdat the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Four hundred studentsrepresenting 15 multi-year sites were in attendance.

The keynote speaker was The Honorable Penny Brown Reynolds, JudgeFulton County State Court. She was a very dynamic speaker who providedmuch wisdom and insight for the students to believe in themselves. At 43years of age she is one of the youngest judges in state court. She wasappointed to the bench only six years after becoming an attorney.

Trophies were presented to students who placed first, second or third placein the Career Manual competition.

The Honorable Michael Thurmond, Commissioner of Labor, gave the closingremarks. It was the first time the Commissioner addressed the Multi-Yearprogram participants.

Georgia Commissioner ofLabor, Michael Thurmondpictured with studentsfrom Lucy Haney HighSchool in Augusta andState Department ofLabor, JGG ProjectCoordinator, NedraWakefield

Michael Thurmond,Georgia Commissionerof Labor; Students fromChattooga High Schoolin Summerville andNedra Wakefield, Jobsfor Georgia GraduatesProject Coordinator,Georgia Department ofLabor

Keynote speaker forGeorgia’s JGG Multi-Year Luncheon, TheHonorable PennyBrown Reynolds,Judge Fulton CountyState Court

JILG Students Assisted with the Jerry Jennings Memorial Race

Flora High School, Jobs for Illinois Graduates students help out thecommunity with a service learning project. The students wereassigned various duties throughout the day to help with the JerryJennings Memorial Race. Duties ranged from paperwork responsibil-ities to concession stand duties to crowd control. This is a yearlyevent in Flora and the community depends upon the JILG studentsto assist in the preparation and conduct of the event.

Crawford Career Association Chapter Formed

Student-led organizations have a history of developing leaders by providingopportunities to apply classroom theory to authentic projects and theopportunity to solve real problems. Leaders are beginning to emerge andwill accomplish this very goal as the Crawford Career Association (CCA)was formed.

As a part of the Marketing and Event Planning Class and in conjunctionwith city-wide Jobs for San Diego Graduates, the Crawford CareerAssociation was born. Destined to lead the club in accomplishing greattasks is an outstanding cabinet of officers - Emily Garcia, President; CheeYang, Vice-President for Leadership Development; Stephen Gomes,Director of Career Preparation; Alex Phomthavong, Director of SocialActivities; and Erin Ferguson, Director of Community Service.

The Career Association plans activities for members including: leadershipdevelopment, career preparation, social engagements and communityservice. The Career Association Club worked throughout the year to fulfillit’s mission and motto- “to learn and to serve”.

“We can’t believe howmuch we love JILG!”The East Richland HighSchool JILG Chapteradopted a highway inthe community as one oftheir service learningprojects. Studentsdiligently workedtogether on a four-milestretch of highway. JILGstudents realize thatthey are the future andthey take pride in theircommunity.

The Chicago Bulls organi-zation celebrated JILGnight as students attendeda career fair and stayed towatch the Bulls in action.The Danville High SchoolJILG chapter poses for thecamera in front of theMichael Jordan and theUnited Center.

Jobs for Illinois Graduates

By: Nekelah Howard

Jobs for Mississippi’s Graduates is a very essential class to high schoolseniors. By being a part of the class, students are given hands onexperience in the job market. Students also have the opportunity tocomplete a resume, fill out numerous applications, and even visit collegecampuses. JMG helped me to become a socially, mentally, andemotionally prepared individual for the successes ahead.

When I first enrolled in the JMG class, I was devastated with the boredomI thought was ahead of me. Little did I know, my perception was entirelywrong. My first few days of class were awful. I was extremely shy andcould not relate to anything the Specialist dished out to us. As timepassed, I became a more confident and secure person. Through mySpecialist’s techniques of teaching us skills to acquire an occupation andapply to college, I learned how to communicate and creatively work withothers. It was amazing to watch my swift progress. As my confidence

grew, I had the urge to become a well-rounded member of JMG. Before Iknew it, I was an officer as Coordinator for Career Preparation. I haveexpanded my love for journalism and I have also been taught responsi-bility. As a leader, JMG has taught me to be a leader and role model. Oncebeing a quiet student with low self-esteem, I have taken a drastic changefor the best.

In conclusion, JMG has changed me in ways that have made me enjoy mysenior year of high school. In JMG, I was never discriminated against forbeing black, a female or being from a single parent family. In fact, I washelped to get a part-time job. Now that I have a part-time job, I can helpmy mother with finances and this has taught me an everlasting sense ofresponsibility. My Specialist has worked hard to prepare me for collegeand the job market. JMG is a very rewarding class that I am so appre-ciative to be a part of. Our trips have been educational and exciting. Mostof all, I have greatly enjoyed the exuberant experiences in which I had achance to partake.

Taken from February 2004, MidAmerican Worldwide,a MidAmerican Energy newsletter

Imagine an 18-year-old speaking before senators,state governors and CEOs; having lunch withSupreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; andchatting up with Miss America.

By the way, an author with Scholastic Publishingcalled — he wants an interview.

She graduated with honors from high school twotrimesters early with college credit already under herbelt. Now she’s a full time college student with adouble major: criminology and Spanish. She workspart-time at the corporate headquarters of one of thelargest companies in the state.

Now, look in the other direction.

Imagine a student on the other end of the spectrum. She was born to ateenage mother and had a rocky home life. Student No. 2 was raised by hergrandparents after her mother gave up legal custody. She witnesseddistinctive behavior and was identified as at-risk of not graduating from highschool. She looked to her grandfather for guidance, but a massive heartattack claimed his life when she was a high school sophomore.

Foster care. Lost focus. She wasn’t going to graduate.

“Life’s not fair,” Becky King says.

She’s student No. 2.

“You get out of life what you put into it,” King says.

She also happens to be student No.1.

Becky King is a co-op student in the human resources department atMidAmerican Energy Company in Des Moines, Iowa. King did, indeed, grow-up in a less-than-stable environment. When her grandfather died, she wasn’tsure where she would end up. In the midst of the turmoil, King was identifiedby Perry High School as a student at-risk who, without considerable inter-vention, would most likely drop out.

She was encouraged to enroll in Iowa-Jobs for America’s Graduates, thenation’s largest school-to-work program for youths at-risk of not graduatingfrom high school. The program works to provide students with a specificcurriculum, community involvement and work experiences to help themachieve success after graduation.

The program — along with Perry High School guidance counselor Tami Vallineand JAG Job Specialist Paula Rothmeyer — helped King land her positionwith MidAmerican. King took college courses while still in high school, partici-pated in volunteer activities and managed to graduate from high school early— with honors.

“I was scared to think about where I was going to end up when my grandpadied,” she says. “But I knew that he didn’t teach me to be a quitter when badthings happen. I knew that I had to show everyone that I am better than thatand that I am capable of virtually anything.”

Julie Sorci, MidAmerican Energy Company, manager of staffing and memberof the I-JAG Board of Directors, is King’s supervisor.

“Becky is an enthusiastic, bright and optimisticemployee who does not get down when the goinggets rough,” Sorci says. “Becky is driven to succeed,and her co-workers have welcomed the opportunityto assist her in her work, life and school experi-ences.”

Because of King’s success in the program, she wasidentified as the state’s I-JAG Student of the Yearand asked to speak at the National Jobs forAmericas Graduates Board Meeting in Des Moines.She spoke to Iowa business leaders about theobstacles she has overcome and encouraged theaudience to support JAG.

After her experience in Des Moines, she wasnominated for the National JAG Student of the Year2003 and she was selected.

King was flown to Washington, DC to speak at theJAG Annual Leadership Awards Event VIP reception and National LeadershipAwards Luncheon. She was the only student chosen to address Senate andHouse members and other national leaders in the Russell State Office SenateBuilding. She spoke in the Caucus Room — the same room in whichPresident Kennedy announced that he would run for re-election,

When the speakers wrapped up, King discovered the she was seated at thesame table as Sandra Day O’Connor. “She gave the most powerful speech,”King says. “She talked about how she began her career — she worked forfree. Here is one of the most powerful women in the country, and she didn’teven get paid at her first job.”

“Her story was so inspiring. It made me realize that everyone starts at thebottom of the ladder and that I’m just as capable of making my way up asanyone. And that’s what I plan to do.”

“At the luncheon, Govenor Vilsack and his wife remembered me and cameover to talk. I couldn’t believe I was standing in D.C. having a conversationwith our governor.”

She also was contacted by the JAG Vice President, Barbara Wolf, who toldher a writer would be contacting her soon. He was interviewing studentsacross America, and he was interested in hearing King’s story to see if itwould fit his book.

“Being given the opportunity to speak inWashington was the most incredible thingthat’s ever happened in my life,” King says.“I felt so honored to have been recognizedas I was and to meet so many astonishingpeople.”

“I never expected to be in D.C., neverexpected to meet a Supreme CourtJustice, I never expected any of this.”

“I think that in anything you pursue, youstart at the bottom — and you shouldn’tbe afraid of that. Anyone can besuccessful regardless of background. I feellike I’m living proof of that.”

“I Never Expected Any of This!”

Becoming a Leader and Role Model

12