Pratt High School JAG-K

What an awesome time we had in Washington D.C. this past week. Pratt had two returning competitors that went to Nationals this year. Meredith Queal and Allen Roberts both performed amazing and represented the school and our JAG-K program professionally. Allen Roberts took first place in Math skills category. Resulting in him being the very first JAG-K National champion for our state. I could not be more proud of either of them.

See below for a news release pertaining to the event.

http://www.jagkansas.org/news--events

Friendly reminder to my seniors this year.

https://www.facebook.com/284949654924118/posts/1980975138654886/

Calling all senior parents. Don't forget this WED. OCT 17th is FAFSA work night 7pm in the Library. Hope to see you there. Don't forget to bring your 2016 tax information with you!

I know this may be a bit late, but it just came across my desk today. Check out the article, it helps show just how successful our students of Pratt High JAG-K are, the 2017-2018 graduates are on pace to also receive the highest award in JAG; the 5 of 5.

Area schools JAG-K programs earn top national honor TOPEKA – Several area schools in the Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) program have earned the prestigious “5 of 5

Students have begun working on their employability skills. This new project we have begun ask the question
"How can we be successful employees now and in the future?" The goal will be for students to learn how to fill out job applications correctly, edit them so they know what errors to look for and how to avoid them, they must also learn how do appropriate phone call interviews as well. All skills that will make them successful today and going forward in life. The project ends with them creating a Career vision portfolio, if they know their desired lifestyle is then they can prepare for what is expected of them; which in the end makes them successful.

Hello everyone, our school year has been off and running. It has been an exciting year with a lot going on. I truly have some great students in my program. We helped unload lots of dry goods at our local food bank for our War on 54 competition against Kingman high school this morning. A lot of stuff came in and they got to work without any complaining even though it was a bit chilly for them. Very proud of my group and I know I don't post often enough on things we do and how awesome they are, but this was something that I felt needed to be recognized. Truly blessed by this group of students. More awesomeness to come.

Last Wednesday, eight JAG-K students traveled to Seward County Community College in Liberal, KS for the first annual Regional Career Development Conference. The students competed against other JAG-K programs in our region to vie for a spot to compete at the state level April, 18th. It was also the first time schools competed against each other in the region for placings. Pratt put on a good show, the students came prepared and were very successful. I am proud to say we placed 1st overall and 7 of the 8 students who went qualified for state. The picture shows our program with the 2nd place trophy, which is what we originally placed we thought, thanks to some checking and finding a lost score sheet, it actually bumped us up to first place. Below are the 7 students who will be competing at Emporia State University April 18th. Where they will need to place in the top three in their categories to qualify for Nationals in Washington, D.C. this coming November. I am very proud of these students.

Top three in each event move on to State qualifying:

Public Speaking:
Kim Allen-Thompson- 2nd
Meredith Queal- 3rd

JAG-K Entrepreneurs (teams of 2):
Morgan Goemann and Lacey Winter- 1st

Math Skills test:
Allen Roberts- 3rd

Mapping MY future:
Chase Folkers-1st

Employability:
Clinton James II- 2nd

As the semester is starting to wind down, the JAG-K students of Pratt High decided to do one final community service piece in town. We decided to end the semester doing something everyone seems to love; playing with animals. Last Friday we spent a couple hours at the Humane Society where we cleaned kennels and bleached them down to sanitize them. We also learned how animals are brought in and the process they go through to helping them be tracked all the way to finding a forever home. Many students got to walk the dogs to get them some exercise, while others were able to play with cats. While this was a community service field trip, it was also a great time for students to wind down and enjoy themselves before finals started this week.

This past Monday November 13th, our very own Meredith Queal was able to share her public speaking piece that helped her place 2nd overall at the Leadership Development Conference back in October at the Board of Education meeting. The topic of the speech was "How has JAG helped you own your future". She will be heading to Washington D.C after Thanksgiving break to compete nationally against multiple states. Pratt JAG-K also had another student, Allen Roberts who placed 2nd in the math skills test going on to Washington D.C. to compete nationally as well. It is exciting to have one student place, but to be able to have two place really helps spotlight the type of talent that Pratt High School has. I also had the chance to speak to the board and the community members present about what JAG-K is and what we have been doing this semester. It was a great night, and Meredith was able to get some more practice in before she goes on to compete later this month. I am very proud of both of these students for the time and dedication they put into their individual events, and the results spoke for themselves I'd say!

Pratt High School had the annual I & I October 23rd. We had a great turn out of students and families and friends. The students were recognized for being part of JAG-K and committing to bettering themselves for their futures. It was a great night of spending time with each other and meeting the student's families and friends who came out to support them. Brad Lingafelter, the southwest region supervisor came and was our guest speaker. It was a great night with a great group of students and those supporting them.

This morning, multiple Pratt High JAG-K students got to attend a field trip to Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Here they learned about all the different departments as well as what they do for Kansas. They also learned about the different types of jobs that are offered here in Pratt through KDWPT and what type of degrees one would need to obtain these jobs. We also had the chance to tour the fish hatchery and see other live animals in the museum. We learned a lot and were able to see the impact that a company such as this has on our state and see all the good work it is doing.

Words cannot describe how amazing and awesome it felt to see the emotions of my 2 students who placed in the top 3 for their events at the annual Leadership Development Conference these last two days in Salina. Both of these students placed 2nd in their individual events. They now have the honor to be a Kansas representative for the National Student Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C. Meredith took 2nd in public speaking with an amazing speech and Allen took 2nd in math skills, taking 2nd literally by one point. Both beating out a slew of other competitors. Super proud of these students and know they will represent Kansas and Pratt High very well.

This past weekend some of the students got to spend some time helping within their communities. These students were a part of the annual rummage sale put on to support the local Humane Society here in Pratt. From setting up to organizing items donated to carrying things to vehicles. These students were invested Thursday evening, Friday evening and almost all of Saturday.