2025 Career Development Conference - State & National

JAG Nevada State CDC

Students from across Nevada gathered in Las Vegas April 14 to showcase their professional skills and compete, network and attend workshops at the JAG Nevada state Career Development Conference. Special thanks to our Chairman Sponsors, NV Energy and Nevada Mining Association; Executive-level sponsors HCA Healthcare, and Kinross Nevada; and Director-level sponsors Sixco, Sylvan Learning Center and Boyd Gaming. Shout out to all the amazing volunteers for serving as judges and keeping the day running smoothly and our gratitude to all the exhibitors at the College & Career Fair. 

We would like to thank and recognize our esteemed speakers for sharing their inspiration and wisdom with attendees: North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown; Angel Williams, Nevada Energy; Becky Hall, Nevada Mining Association; Miss Clark County Morgan Young; Alli Villines, She Means Business; Amy Lee from MGM Resorts; Danielle Delgado and Ashley Pitts, Enterprise Bank; and Victor Macias and the JAG Nevada State Career Association.

Congratulations to our winners: 

T-Shirt Design:

White Pine High School

Art:

3rd Place: Boulder City HS

2nd Place: Damonte Ranch HS

1st Place: Mineral County HS

Program Recruitment Ad:

3rd Place: Cheyenne HS

2nd Place: Valley HS #2

1st Place: Legacy HS

Employability Skills:

3rd Place: Centennial HS – Mia Hearnton

2nd Place: West Wendover HS – Adryan Carlos

1st Place: Mineral County HS – Ava Lukaszka

JAG Tank:

3rd Place: Galena HS – Wesley Piter & Emma Falch

2nd Place: Legacy HS #1 – Iliana Holley

1st Place: Delta Academy – Bryan Caywood & Monica Pulgarin

Public Speaking:

3rd Place: West Wendover HS – Erick Ramirez

2nd Place: Legacy HS #2 – Raphael Moody-Howerton

1st Place: Douglas HS – Stella Rae Bradley

JAG National - NCDC

JAG Nevada student leaders traveled to Indianapolis, IN, to compete in the JAG National Career Development Conference April 24 - 26.  Specialist Hanna Giordano said of the NCDC trip, "It was an amazing opportunity for students to network with like-minded professional young people like themselves across the country. I know that all of them will never forget this experience." 

Congratulations to the student leaders who attended NCDC:

Deseon Womack-Young - Legacy HS

Terrell Brown - Legacy HS

Raphael Moody-Howerton - Legacy HS

Lesly Ramirez - Rancho HS

Milo Heater - Damonte Ranch HS

Deisi Pena - Western HS

Morgan Hertz- Galena HS

Keyla Padron - Global Community 

Terrell won second place in Employability Skills. Deseon, Lesly, and Milo were awarded 10th place for the Business Plan Competition, and the Outstanding Chapter award went to Legacy HS, based on the digital presentation Terrell and Raphael submitted. 

Congratulations to all the students who competed and so excellently represented JAG Nevada at the Jobs for America's Graduates National Career Conference. 

Students Lead Capitol Conversations on Career Readiness

JAG Nevada students representing 22 high schools met with state lawmakers and staff at the Nevada State Legislature May 6 to advocate for stronger investment in workforce development, post-secondary opportunities, and career readiness programs. Student leaders had an opportunity to share their stories, highlight successes, and discuss how state policy can better support Nevada's young people.

Our thanks to Gov. Joe Lombardo, for your support and wisdom shared with the youth from JAG Nevada. They felt seen, heard and inspired! 

Thank you to Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, for sharing time and guidance with JAG Nevada students and presenting JAG Nevada with a proclamation recognizing our work in education and workforce development. 

Our thanks to Senators Jeff Stone, Angie Taylor, Robin Titus and Assemblymembers Natha Anderson, Tracy Brown-May (JAG Nevada Board member), Max Carter, Lisa Cole, Rich DeLong, Rebecca Edgeworth, Heather Goulding, Ken Gray, Bert Gurr, Gregory Hafen II, Alexis Hansen, Brian Hibbetts, Sandra Jauregui, Venise Karris, Greg Koenig, Elaine Marzola, Daniele Monroe-Moreno, Erica Mosca, Erica Roth, Selena Torres-Fossett, Howard Watts, Toby Yurek, and their staff for meeting students. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Amazon, and Rebecca Butler, Senior Regional Policy Manager, for attending the event and sharing her experience with the students.

Thanks to your continued support, Legislative Day was a huge success for students! 

Program Manager Awarded Employee of the Quarter

Please join us as we congratulate Kristelann Galarce, Program Manager Team 2, Training and Events, as our Employee of the Quarter!

Kristelann works hard for JAG Nevada, managing Program Team 2, training specialists and adding her thoughtful planning to all the fabulous events! She brings balance to the team through her endless effort to make sure the students and staff get the most from every event. And nobody can decorate a desk like she does for team birthdays! 

She is a rockstar in the classroom - remembering the interests of students, past and present, and pays attention to what's going on with them, just like she does for her specialists. Ask anyone on her team! You'll hear their praise for Kristelann's supportive management style and stories of her helping with anything from keeping data current to covering career fairs, pitching in at I & I ceremonies and mock interviews. She shows up for her team! 

Josh Arredondo, Interim State Director of Programs shared his praise.

"I’m so excited to celebrate you as JAG’s Employee of the Quarter.  What an incredible and well-deserved honor!

"Your passion, dedication, and leadership shine through in everything you do. From putting in so much energy and care into planning CDC, to expertly managing your team and staying on top of every detail you truly go above and beyond.

"I see and appreciate how approachable, supportive, and dependable you are. Whether it's a quick question or a bigger challenge, you’re always there with a helping hand and a positive attitude.  

"Thank you for making such a positive impact on the people around you. You inspire us all to keep being amazing!"

Congratulations, Kristelann! We are so happy you are part of the team!! 

JAG Alum Jade Builds Eventful Career After Graduation

When I started my JAG journey, I was a sophomore in high school with no idea what the real world was like. I was attending Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts at the time, and my specialist was Malcolm Wilks—the best specialist in Nevada. I might be a little biased in that statement, but it doesn’t take away from everything he did for me as a high school student or the role he played in shaping my future.

In May 2023, I graduated from high school with a clear plan for where I was going to college and what I would be studying—thanks to the JAG program and my specialist. During my time in Del Sol’s JAG program, I attended multiple events, including the annual Career and Development Conference, our I&I ceremony, and several college field trips that helped me explore different areas of study and potential career paths.

From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about music and entertainment. Today, I’m a freelance A/V technician and musician. That may not sound like much at first, but I’ve had the chance to work some incredible events—from concerts featuring artists like The Killers and Avril Lavigne to major sporting events for the Raiders (NFL) and the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL).

I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work at those amazing events if it weren’t for the JAG program. Mr. Wilks helped me find a college program that aligned with my career goals and supported me in applying for scholarships that covered my education. Without that help, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Saying the JAG program had a significant impact on my personal growth would be an understatement.

I highly recommend the JAG program to any high school student, whether or not they have a clear path for life after graduation. The program can help solidify your current goals or guide you toward an entirely new direction—one you might genuinely enjoy. It’s a well-rounded program that benefits students from all walks of life.

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*