WATERVILLE, Maine — What better place to celebrate a student’s high school career and inspire them to continue their education than on a college campus? More than 500 juniors and seniors from across the state poured onto the Thomas College campus in Waterville March 29, 2016 for JMG’s annual Career Development Conference (CDC).
Students spent the day battling it out in a variety of college and career skills competitions, proving they are ready for life after graduation.
Local JMG schools Houlton and Hodgdon high schools each took home four awards in their respective divisions.
For Hodgdon, third place awards went to: Noah Nash for the college admissions interview, Jesse Sturtevant and Alex Nightingale for the Kahoot Know it All challenge and Jasity Stoddard, Dana Brown, Austin Albert for online employment applications. A second place award went to the entire Hodgdon group for their market place display, which was presented by Jasity Stoddard and Branden Pitts. Hodgdon JMG is taught by Joe Fagnant.
Houlton received first place for their online employment applications completed my Jillian Moran, Erika Fitzpatrick and Megan Collett, second place for the team communication competition called Rat Race with Taylor Russell, Sam Astle, Emma Huot, Natalie Hill and Lexi Emerson competing. Also for the Know it All Kahoot challenge with Katie Condon and June Choi. They also received a third place award for Marketplace with Katie Knights and Lexi Bartlett presenting. Houlton JMG is taught by Dee Butler.
For the first time in the event’s 24-year history, CDC was held on a college campus. This offered new opportunities for students to explore the college experience, while having fun. They were sent across campus on a scavenger hunt based on skills needed to succeed in college. They submitted college applications; and, did their best to impress the Thomas Admissions’ staff in mock interviews.
“High school students who are familiar with college, and see it as worthwhile and valuable, are more likely to go to college and persist to graduation,” said Sherrye Haney, JMG’s regional manager in charge of the event. “Hosting CDC on a college campus is part of a larger JMG effort to raise aspirations and help these students prepare for life after high school.”
Students also squared off in public-speaking competitions; showed off their STEM skills by building mobile mini-robots; and, got a great chance to network with employers and college reps at the event’s Career Expo. More than 100 people, including business executives, community leaders, and Thomas College staff generously volunteered their time and energy to facilitate workshops and judge competitions.
“We are very excited to be a part of this big day for JMG and to have so many high school students attend this event on our campus,” said Thomas College President Laurie Lachance. “Thomas College was the first college in the United States to have a JMG specialist on campus, and we are the first to now have two specialists. JMG is a great service to our high school students and our students at Thomas and we are happy to be partnered with them.”
Thomas is one of seven colleges in Maine with a JMG Specialist working to connect high school students to college, and to improve retention on campus. Several JMG seniors are now a little closer to being able to afford college after being awarded scholarships today by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Procter and Gamble.
JMG is a statewide, private nonprofit working with students who face barriers to education. JMG provides 5,500 students a year with the skills and experience they will need to succeed in high school, post- secondary education, and careers. JMG graduates become engaging members of their communities, productive adults in the workforce, and contributors to Maine’s economy.
