Johnston iJAG students shine at state career development conference
Johnston iJAG students at the 2025 State Career Development Competition
AMES, Ia. (March 5, 2025) — Johnston iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) students shined at the 2025 State Career Development Conference, held Tuesday at Iowa State University in Ames.
Fifteen Johnston students qualified and competed in seven events at the state conference and were among nearly 400 students competing this year. Here are the results:
Business Plan: Halia Clemens, KB Rollen and Kymani Gross placed 3rd and received medals for their customizable Comfort Cancer Kits to provide a sense of comfort for patients going through Chemotherapy and other treatments. These students wrote a full business plan to support their idea.
Halia Clemens, KB Rollen and Kymani Gross
Prepared Speaking: Abby Mills placed 4th with her Prepared Speaking speech on “How has iJAG helped prepare me for my future”
Creative Decision Making: AJ Darboh, Cayden Green and Gio Sanchez made the top 10 finalists and were asked to present in front of judges. These students were given a new problem at the state competition, asking, “How would you increase the population of Iowa, and How would you get people to stay here?” A few of their ideas they presented to the judges included providing funding for larger families and other types of attractions that help make Iowa desirable.
Additional Johnston iJAG students competing at the 2025 State Career Development Conference received high praises from the judges and will be given their feedback in the coming week. Those who qualified and competed include:
PBL Showcase: Jaiden Triplett, Von Harris-Caldwell, and Jai Henriquez created a presentation based on the Free Veterans Meal that iJAG is planning to host this spring.
Employability Skills: Nick Darling competed in a mock Interview at the state competition. He was selected due to his outstanding resume and cover letter.
L.O.V.E. Project: Aaron Karkue, Olivia Ratliff, and Shamya Anderson were tasked with finding a problem they face in their school or community and find a way to try and make an impact. These students created a rap song that embodies the pressures that teens face today.
Financial Literacy: Kit Perez represented Johnston iJAG by competing against other schools by taking a Financial Literacy test, which we know she scored very well on, towards the top of the competition!
Johnston iJAG students at the 2025 state Career Development Competition
JHS student Hunter Bloom also served a student ambassador at the state conference and helped with running a room.
Congratulations to all of our iJAG students who qualified, participated and competed in the 2025 State Career Development Conference!
Led by Breannah Suntken, the Johnston iJAG program helps students build the skills they need to be successful in the classroom, on the job and in life. It provides a variety of learning opportunities to help students explore careers, participate in apprenticeships or internships, and serve their communities. By connecting business with education, iJAG helps to support students in their futures and provides school-to-career solutions.
Johnston is also offering the iJAG course as a concurrent DMACC credit for the first time ever. From this semester on, iJAG will be offered as both a high school credit and college credit for all who take and complete the course. This is a HUGE step for iJAG and the direction they are heading with work-based learning.