High School Students Compete in JAG Competition

Fred Payne (podium) is the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

About 175 high school students from across the state recently showed off their ‘soft skills’ such as critical thinking and public speaking as they competed in the Jobs for America’s Graduates Career Development Conference.

Administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, JAG is a state-based, national nonprofit organization that assists high school students with earning their diploma.

The annual event allows JAG students to show off their talents in 11 different categories and compete for financial prizes.

“The JAG program helps students to graduate from high school with a better sense of self, including their capability of setting and achieving career goals,” said DWD Commissioner Fred Payne. “JAG students participating in this year’s event received the recognition that they so rightly deserve.”

The conference was originally scheduled for March, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, regional winners were challenged to compete virtually and send their efforts in for judging.

View the list of winners below: