By Haley Mitchell Godwin

The Highland Home Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) chapter celebrated a series of victories at the South District Career Development Conference held Jan. 29 at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center. The JAG students had the opportunity to showcase their skills while securing notable wins, and coveted spots in the upcoming state competition.

In the Business Plan division, the trio of Isaiah Romero, William West, and Aiden Yoder exhibited their expertise, clinching a commendable third place. Juniors Savannah Edgar and Anna Kate Foster, along with sophomore Christopher Thomson and freshman Lorianna Majors, emerged triumphant with a first-place win in the NCA Knowledge Bowl.

Senior Jaiden Tidwell garnered fourth place in Financial Literacy, while seniors Tori Smith and juniors Colton Carroll, Jacorian Griffin, and Mireya Ortiz secured third place in Project Based Learning.

These students will advance to the state competition scheduled for March 5 in Birmingham, where they will showcase their skills on a larger platform and vie for state titles in their respective categories.

Students will compete in the first round of NCA Outstanding Chapter-yearbook, a chapter event,  at the 2024 State Career Development Conference, where JAG students Ashlan Thomson, Tyler Holcombe, Tyler Chaney, and Skylar Sampley will present their work for the LOVE Project, a division that also initiates at the state level. 

Adrian Daniels, HHS athletic director and science teacher, expressed gratitude for the positive impact of the JAG program and its dedicated leader, Leslie Flowers. 

“Mrs. Flowers always makes sure our children are ready and at the top of their game,” Daniels said. “They are headed back to state, and I am sure they will be moving on to nationals. We are thankful Mrs. Flowers is with us at Highland Home and we are thankful for all she does for our children and their futures.”

Flowers highlighted the students’ dedication, citing the impressive 86-3 margin achieved in the Knowledge Bowl. She commended their resilience, noting that immediately after the competition, they were already planning a new study approach. As the JAG students gear up for the state competition, Flowers expressed her admiration for the students and their dedication.

“All of these students are my heroes,” Flowers said. “and they are so close to my heart, every one. I can firmly and proudly say that I absolutely love coming to work each day, and our first leg of competition was fruitful because of their hard work. St. Louis, here they come!”

With their eyes set on national recognition, the students hope to secure wins during the March 5 state competition so that they can move on to compete at the National Career Development Conference that will be held in St. Louis  April 18 -20. 

The JAG program aims to identify and provide educational support and success strategies for Alabama students. Collaborating with educational specialists, JAG mentors, equips, and supports students to graduate and succeed beyond high school. For more information visit alabamajag.org