JAG-SD students excel at state conference in Mitchell

The annual Career Development Conference for Jobs for America's Graduates - South Dakota (JAG-SD) took place on March 11 in Mitchell. The event was held at Dakota Wesleyan University and saw the participation of 230 students from across the state. Students took part in competitions that highlighted important skills for their futures. These competitions focused on six core areas: career development, job attainment, job survival, basic skills, leadership and self-development, and personal skills. Judges from local communities and the South Dakota Department of Education provided valuable feedback to the participants. The winners of each category will advance to the JAG National Career Development Conference in Indianapolis, which is scheduled for April 24-26. First place winners included Maggie Lingemann in employability skills, Mia Ohayon in financial literacy, and several students from Lyman High School in knowledge bowl. At the end of the conference, the students elected new state officers for JAG-SD for 2025. The elected officers are Hayden Wren as State President and Catelyn Fry as State Secretary, among others. Beth Schneider, the state director for JAG-SD, praised the new officers and thanked the outgoing officers for their work. She also acknowledged the effort of school staff, saying their support was crucial to the success of the program.