Preparing Students for Successful Futures
January 2022
Pictured above: Kevin Like, ADM Vice President of Strategic Accounts, shared his personal story at LDC, a speech he entitled “Success through Adversity: My story of perseverance from poverty to corporate leadership.”
Districts Use ESSER Funds for JAG-K to Combat Learning Loss and Student Disengagement
Student disengagement and learning loss are two of the biggest challenges our school partners and our JAG-K Career Specialists are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, our evidence-based model is bucking the trends and continues to deliver consistent results. Several Kansas school districts have recognized the value of JAG-K in addressing these issues and are using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to either start or expand JAG-K programming. Some are starting as early as this semester.

While the ESSER funds must be used by 2024 and there is a question about sustainability, school districts and JAG-K are willing to take a chance to give our students the best possible opportunity to catch up and get back on a path to success. The JAG model is all about student engagement through community service, work-based learning, civic awareness, and project-based learning. In “normal” and pandemic years, we have had a consistent graduation rate of 97 percent, with almost 90 percent of our students in post-secondary education or training, military service, or in the workforce full time with marketable skills.

One large Kansas school district that has had JAG-K for eight years has decided to expand by 11 to 17 new JAG-K programs in 2022-23 using ESSER funds. They have made a commitment to their students and families to scale up a program that has been working but has not been available to as many students as are eligible. We believe after two years, there will be noticeable results.

JAG-K is not only eligible for ESSER funds, but it also qualifies for most federal Title funding and state at-risk funding.

If you are interested in expanding or wish to start a JAG-K program, please contact us at (785) 478-5650 and ask for Chuck. You may also email me directly at [email protected].

We are unable to start new programs in every district at this time and do prioritize based on need and impact. However, we do have a waiting list and would be glad to add your district if there is interest.

Chuck Knapp
JAG-K President and CEO
ADM Partners with JAG-K to Develop Next Generation of Leaders
ADM knows the importance of developing the next generation of employees and leaders, and takes a proactive approach to building the workforce.

The global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company has supported JAG programs across the nation for years. And in Kansas, ADM is active in sharing valuable lessons about work and careers, overcoming obstacles and pursuing dreams.

Kevin Like, ADM Vice President of Strategic Accounts, recently spoke at a JAG-K event and accepted an award from the organization on behalf of ADM.
JAG National Office Hires Kansan as Student Engagement Intern
Linda Moyo, a 2018 graduate of Newton High School, is giving a voice to current JAG participants as the organization's national Student Engagement Intern.
 
Once a shy small-town Kansas student with limited ability to communicate in English, Moyo transformed in just a few short years to a college student, mentor to JAG-K participants, and YouTube commentator. Now she is using her skills and talents to help JAG students across the country.

Among her duties, JAG has asked Moyo to launch a podcast in January entitled "Start Here, Go Everywhere.” The podcast will feature guests, including JAG staff, as well as current and former JAG participants. These podcasts will “offer tools and skills to educate, inspire, and challenge youth to succeed both in school, on the job skills, and in personal life leading to productive and rewarding careers,” Moyo said.

Concordia Student Featured on Radio Interview About Trip to D.C.
The vice president of the JAG-K student career association was interviewed by KNCK radio station about her experiences on a JAG-K leadership development trip to Washington D.C.

Concordia High School senior Ryah Klima described the trip in which the elected JAG-K state career association officers met with U.S. Rep. Ron Estes and participated in the ceremonial placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

While in the nation's capital, the students participated in the JAG National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA).
Kiowa County High School JAG-K Program Featured in Video
A video produced by the Digital Applications class at Kiowa County High School tells the story of how JAG-K is impacting the lives of students at the school.

Kiowa County Career Specialist Marcus Mitchell said students from the Digital Applications class spent a couple of weeks gathering footage of the JAG-K program. He said he is pleased that students outside the JAG-K program recognized its value and wanted to feature it in a video.

"I am glad that the Digital Apps class decided to highlight our JAG program and bring more awareness for Kiowa County JAG-K," Mitchell said. "We have great students that make our program awesome. Students love that everything we do in class because prepares them for life after high school aka the 'real world.' They have increased the visibility of our program by being active in the community and within the school district.”
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Preparing Students
for Successful Futures