Students from the Bolivar High School (BHS) Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program returned home as national leaders after an exceptional performance at the National Career Development Conference (NCDC) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Competing against the top students from across the country, Bolivar’s teams secured both a 2nd-place and a 4th-place national finish.

The BHS JAG program showcased its versatility and commitment to both entrepreneurship and community service through two distinct competitive tracks:

• 2nd Place: Project-Based Learning (PBL): The team of Jocelyn Norton, Isabella Swihart, and Bri Fugere earned the national runner-up spot for their impactful literacy project. The team authored a series of bilingual children’s books designed for English Language Learners (ELL) in Bolivar’s elementary schools. By featuring both English and Spanish text, the books promoted inclusivity in the classroom. The students personally visited elementary classes to read the stories aloud in both languages simultaneously.

• 4th Place: Business Plan: Avery Hofstetter, Granton Bayless, and Jacob Booth took home 4th place for their innovative business startup, Relight. The business focuses on sustainability by upcycling discarded mugs, jars, and glassware into high-quality soy candles. The judges recognized the team for their comprehensive market analysis and commitment to environmental stewardship.

The success in Salt Lake City is a testament to the students' dedication and the mentorship provided within the classroom.

"Watching these students translate their classroom efforts into national recognition is an incredible honor," said Hanna Gibson, BHS JAG Advisor. "They didn't just compete; they solved real-world problems and served their community. Their success reflects the grit and creativity we strive for in the Bolivar JAG program."

Bri Fugere shared her excitement about their 2nd and 4th place finishes.

"I was really proud of both of our teams for placing at nationals. We all worked really hard to get there, and seeing it pay off was incredibly special. I’m also so proud of our Project Based Learning team; our project had a big impact, so seeing that the judges felt the same way was very encouraging."

"It was such a fun experience and opportunity, I've learned so much from this program, and I can't wait for next year!" added Isabella Swihart.

"It was a great experience to be a part of, especially when our team’s hard work paid off at the competition,” Granton Bayless added. “If you ask me, getting 4th in the nation is due to Mrs. Gibson’s feedback in the classroom and the overall morale of the team."

Jacob Booth reflected on the culture of excellence within the Bolivar program.

"Being a part of Bolivar JAG isn’t just joining another class in high school,” said Booth. “In JAG, there are always expectations of greatness and success. I’m beyond honored to not only live up to those expectations but exceed them. None of it would have been possible without our specialist Hanna Gibson and the countless hours and effort the JAG team put into practice and competing."

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students in reaching their full potential by helping them graduate high school and transition into productive post-secondary education or meaningful career paths.