Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas

For the month of April, we are celebrating Kansas Bankers Association as our employer partner!

They teach our students so much about Financial Literacy, and this year marked 5 years of partnership with JAG-K and the KBA Month.

“The Kansas Bankers Association is honored to be the JAG-K Partner of the month! For the past five years, it has been a privilege to offer classroom visits, student events, learning opportunities, speaking engagements, support, and mentorship for the JAG-K students and Career Specialists through our Kansas Bankers and their communities," said Doug Wareham, President & CEO. "The mission of JAG-K to prepare students for successful futures by connecting them with real-world experiences they may not otherwise encounter aligns with one of our strategic goals to find those next generations of Kansas bankers! We are grateful to be a JAG-K partner and look forward to future endeavors together.”

If you'd like to see Doug sit down and talk about his career with our President & CEO Chuck Knapp, check this out: https://youtu.be/MkuuE2gzQww?si=nX0nkqgiVuYRExZ7

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Last week, we recognized Mindy McCormick, Career Specialist at Augusta High School, as our Ideal Team Player for the quarter. This award recognizes Mindy for her outstanding leadership and dedication to her students and the JAG-K mission.

"As an alum of Augusta High School, it was especially meaningful to recognize Mindy, who truly exemplifies what it means to be Hungry, Humble, and Smart," said Toni Porter, JAG-K's Vice President of Marketing & Development. "Her dedication is evident not only in the classroom, but in the outcomes she helps her students achieve. Under her leadership, her students consistently qualify for regional, state, and national career development competitions—including representing JAG-K at the National Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City just last month.”

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We had the pleasure of sitting down with My KC Live once again to discuss the trip to Salt Lake City!

The students who were present to represent JAG-K were:
Analicia Aquino (Shawnee Mission North) attended NCDC as a voting delegate to help elect the next cohort of National Career Association officers.

Anthony Phoenix & Tyrone Wright Jr. (Shawnee Mission North) placed 10th in the nation for Project Based Learning.

James Veerkamp (Basehor Linwood) placed 4th in the nation for Financial Budget Preparation.

We are so proud of our students and thankful for the opportunity to visit the studio!

You can view the segment here: https://www.kctv5.com/2026/05/20/americas-graduates-career-development-conference/

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We are excited to be the first national partner to bring the GenUS competency to credential framework to all 125 Jobs for America's Graduates - Kansas programs in 2026-27!

This framework will give our students the opportunity to earn skills that are visible, measurable, and portable.

Read more: https://www.the74million.org/article/maine-has-a-new-way-to-prepare-teens-for-jobs-other-states-are-noticing/

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INTRODUCING JAG KANSAS’S NATIONAL PLACERS!

Individual Awards:
🏆 Employability Skills - Top Ten Finalist
⭐️2nd Madison Smith- Kingman

🏆 Prepared Speaking- Top Ten Finalist
⭐️2nd Hollisten Zimmer Junction City
⭐️7th Sophi Register Augusta
⭐️8th Haley Hughes-Manhattan

🏆 Career Preparation- Top Ten Finalists
⭐️3rd Chylind Kelly- Buhler HS

🏆 Financial Budget Preparation- Top Ten Finalists
⭐️4th James Veerkamp- Basehor Linwood
⭐️5th Joel Umana Jimenez- Newton 1

We are so proud of all of our students and wish them safe travels as they come back to Kansas today!

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INTRODUCING JAG KANSAS’S NATIONAL PLACERS!

Multi-Student Teams:
🏆JAG Promotional Video- Finalists
⭐️4th Augusta HS 2- Olivia Mehiel, Sophi Register

🏆 Creative Decision Making- Top Ten
⭐️7th Kiowa County High School- Alyson Taylor, Benjamin Sturgeon, Jemma Ploger
⭐️9th Augusta HS- Kadence Kreuzburg, Jaiden Means, Raegan Stillwell

🏆 Project-Based Learning- Top Ten Finalists
⭐️ 5th Winfield- Ashliey Aliwis, Adaira Hutto, Ayden Le
⭐️ 10th Shawnee Mission North- Anthony Phoenix, Tyrone Wright Jr., Kevin Walton Jr.

We are so proud of all of our students and wish them safe travels as they come back to Kansas today!

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If you want to tune in to the National Career Development Conference Closing Ceremony and Awards, you can find it on JAG National’s page!

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Txt454Dp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Show starts at 11am Kansas time!

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Last night was another great night for Kansas in Salt Lake City!

From an all team dinner, where our students and sponsors got to catch up with our executive team, to the Denim & Diamonds dance, our students had plenty of fun and opportunities! Competitions have officially wrapped up, and now the waiting game begins! The awards ceremony takes place in just a couple hours. We can’t wait! 🎉🏅

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A special thanks to the staff who makes trips like these possible!

On this trip, we have 10 staff member sponsors with our students. They help make sure our students are where they need to be when they need to be there & they do an awesome job!

And of course, a big shoutout to our students representing Kansas! We are so proud of all of you! 🌻🎉

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