MUSCATINE, Iowa–In the Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates, or iJAG program, students explore career readiness and continuing education opportunities in a variety of hands on ways. This can include competing in state competitions in various skill areas. In one of their most successful outings yet, seven students, Jovany “JJ” Candela, Blanca Callazo, Dayton Cox, Ayana Guillen, Angalena Martinez Aguilar, Aisha Rodriguez and, Sasha Rodriguez, competed in five different areas and JJ placed first in employability skills, earning him a trip to the national Jobs for America’s Graduates contest in Orlando, Florida April 18 through 23.
Each year, students participating in the program have the opportunity to submit projects for consideration in eight different competition areas. The students whose projects score the highest then have the opportunity to come and compete in person at the state competition. This year, Muscatine had students qualify in seven of the eight areas. Ultimately, students selected five different competitions to participate in, career preparation, creative decision making, employability skills, financial literacy, and prepared speaking.
A new experience for many of the students, they enjoyed getting to compete and improve their skills in the process. Sasha shared, “even though we didn’t place, we left feeling like winners because iJAG had helped us take a step out of our comfort zones!”
“I believe that this experience was a great learning experience for all of us,” added Dayton.
JJ Candela (second from left) with Jon McConnell (second from right) after receiving his first place medal for employability skills. Photo courtesy Muscatine Community School District.
“It was ultimately a great experience, and I would love to go back to state next year,” reflected Angalena.
In employability skills, JJ had to create a resume and cover letter and complete a mock job interview. His interviewers from Principal Financial felt impressed by his preparation and poise, and even expressed interest in hiring him in the future.
As the first Muscatine High School student to win an iJAG state career development contest and proceed to the national level, JJ feels excited both to continue honing his skills and to get to travel a bit: “I’m mostly looking forward to having fun with a bunch of JAG students, and meeting new people. I also would be lying if I didn’t say I was excited to be in Orlando, Florida for a week on vacation, competing and preparing for the final competition,” he said. “I hope to place and bring home the trophy for Iowa.”
As the educational specialist who works with the junior and senior iJAG students, Jon McConnell felt immensely proud of how these students from his first iJAG cohort worked to put up a strong showing at the state competition. “Most of the events were new to them, so it was a learning experience for us all. The students that chose to compete in CDC had to do extra work outside of the work they had for my class–some of the students really had to learn some time management skills if they were really wanting to compete at the state competition,” he observed. “Hopefully this is a ‘breaking the ice’ moment for Muscatine iJAG and we can continue with the success, and show the community that these students in our program are capable of being great employees and citizens within our community.”
