On April 21, Youth Solutions hosted the 13th annual Career Development Conference (CDC) at the Lansing Center, welcoming 127 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) youth to showcase their workplace skills and knowledge through career-based competitions. The theme for this year, "Together we Thrive," inspired youth to visualize their future careers and strive towards robust growth and development. The day consisted of individual and group events, networking with one another and business leaders, a keynote speaker and awards ceremony, creating a truly immersive experience for youth to envision their future careers.
“This event helps you hone in on good life skills, like problem solving, that will help you whether you are going to college or right into a job after high school. All of these competitions help you build on good qualities you can take with you and it’s so cool to have an opportunity like this!” said Cheyenne Holcomb, from the JMG program at Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College.
DeAnthony Martin, another JMG youth from Pershing High School went on to say, “This experience taught me greater professionalism and showed me how far I can go - you can always go further than you think you can!”
Awards were given for five events; JMG Bowl, Creative Problem Solving, Interview Skills, Career Preparation, and JMG Chapter Marketing. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
JMG Bowl
1st Place - Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College
Caden LaFayette, Hannah Holman, Lily Swetich
2nd Place - Benton Harbor High School
Brianna Spencer Tatyanna Littles, Jaeden Meeks, Jaeden Meeks, Armani Collins, Kamden White
3rd Place - Hartford High School
Kaylie Axsom, Johanna Acevedo, Brooke Modro, Jasmine Bennet
Chapter Marketing
1st Place - Windover Warriors, Windover High School - Click here to watch the winning video.
Haley Smolinski, Lydia San Miguel, Scott Young, Emerial Beatty, Harlee Tola, Alissa Frost, Jolina Ledesma
2nd Place - Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan - Click here to watch.
Ian Watson, Za’Indya Street, Macinley “Patch” Badgwell, Brooke Triplett, Lindsey Collins, Lamont Hawkins, Mariah Dunn, Jaylen Banister, Zakari Banister, Elijah Williams-Cooper, Owen Hamlet, Saylar Busher, Jasmine Harris, Jason Anderson, James Madden, Cubby Wolf, James Anthony
3rd Place - Together We Can!, Hartford High School - Click here to watch.
Grace Weber, Ximena Hernandez, Guimell Hernandez
Interview Skills
1st Place - Savanna Bates, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan
2nd Place - Arturo Lora Cruz, Hope Academy
3rd Place - DeAnthony Martin, Pershing High School
Career Preparation
1st Place - Kamryn Kyles, Hartford High School
2nd Place - Guimell Hernandez, Hartford High School
3rd Place - Morgan McConnell, Mackinaw Trail Middle School
Creative Problem Solving
1st Place - Benton Harbor High School
Nevaeh Stone, Madison Collins, Anijah Dancer, Ashton Sanders, Janiza Wright
2nd Place - West Michigan Works! Muskegon County
Xzayvier Horsley, Tayonna Mcquarter
3rd Place - Lansing School District
Donnie (Adam) Dominion, Carley (August) Doerr, Elayna DeLine
We couldn't be prouder of each and every one of our participants and the incredible things they continue to achieve. To see more highlights from the CDC, watch our recap video.