JMG Youth at the Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
What is your favorite memory from your time in JMG?
Last year when we first got the group together and we were planning the different events, making our chapter marketing video for the Career Development Conference (CDC), and this year's Leadership Day are my favorite memories from JMG.
Why is JMG important to you?
JMG showed me how to work well with others. Even when I am scared to participate, I give it a chance and go for it. The outcome is always better than I expected and I grow from that!
What impact did attending the Career Development Conference (CDC) have on you? It was a really good experience to know that I am a part of a larger community. I loved the times in the hallways in between competitions where we got to network with other students and hear more about their programs. It was also really fun to compete with other programs and have it feel like positive competition, as competition has often been framed for me negatively. Hearing what other students experience makes me feel like I am part of something bigger.
How did attending the Career Development Conference (CDC) help you prepare for your future?
It gave me so much confidence! So much confidence to know I am not alone. Seeing other programs' videos and seeing everyone's different take on the same project taught me new and creative ways to look at things, and that the more I branch out the more I learn. And that we all struggle. This program is everything to me and really made me look at school differently. Not all schools have the JMG program and it made me want to get more involved, and gave me so much more hope for my future! I am now even thinking about college, which I didn't believe I could ever do realistically.
How did attending our annual JMG youth events help you prepare for your future? Attending the annual JMG youth events have helped me prepare for being in a big crowd and getting over anxiety. The reason why we are resistant sometimes to doing school projects, going to events, or speaking, is because we are afraid of what other people think, and this, again, gives me the confidence to get over that and try new things.
What is a fun fact about you? I am really goofy and playful. Singing, music, and dancing are my passions.
What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to go to Mardi Gras sometime and experience the vibrant culture and food and music! I heard you can get the best seafood ever!
What is your dream job?
My dream job has always been to become a singer. Not to be famous or anything, but because it speaks to me and takes me to a really positive place. I would enjoy producing music as well, because I realize its hard to make a living as a singer or performer, so I need to get other skills if I want music to be a career.