Finding Direction & Clarity: Kamryn Kyles' JMG Journey

Watch Kamryn's inspiring testimonial here.

From distracted beginnings to first-place finishes, Kamryn Kyles' story is a powerful testament to personal growth, resilience, and the transformative power of the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program at Hartford High School.

Before JMG, Kamryn described her life as “a blur,” juggling too much and unsure of her direction. But once she joined JMG, everything started to change. Even before officially enrolling in the class, she found herself immersed in its mission: volunteering, writing letters to soldiers, organizing blood drives, and giving back to her community.

JMG taught Kamryn how to manage her time, believe in herself, and most importantly, how to lead. She grew more confident, especially in public speaking, and learned practical skills like writing a resume and dressing professionally. Thanks to her mentor and JMG specialist, Miss Braddock, Kamryn began to see herself as capable, prepared, and worthy of recognition.

A highlight of her journey came her senior year when Kamryn won first place at Youth Solutions’ Career Development Conference for her presentation on entertainment photography. It was a full-circle moment after not placing the year before, and it showed just how far she’d come.

“Crediting myself now is one of the best affirmations I’ve gotten from JMG,” Kamryn says. “It’s amazing.”

Now graduated, Kamryn continues to live out the values she learned, staying positive, helping others, and cheering on her younger siblings who are also JMG students.