22 Local JMG Students Shine at Career Development Conference
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2025
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN- Twenty-two Jobs for Michigan’s Graduate (JMG) students from local schools participated in the annual JMG Career Development Conference in Lansing. The event highlights workplace skills and knowledge, such as creative problem solving, interview skills, and career preparation. Youth have the chance to demonstrate the skills they've developed over the year through the JMG program.
Joshua Woollard, a student at Central Lake High School, received the JMG Exemplary Youth of the Year award. This award honors one outstanding participant from each of Michigan’s Prosperity Regions. Selected from among the top Youth of the Year nominees, these individuals represent excellence in leadership, commitment, and achievement.
Six other students also received JMG Excellence in Youth Leadership Awards. This program-level award honors active JMG participants who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the program and their educational and career goals. These students lead by example and truly embody excellence within their programs. These individuals were Megan Pickering (Boyne Falls High School), Maddy Stange (Cadillac High School), Tierney Lee (Cadillac Innovation High School), Taryn Losee (Charlevoix High School), Sean Humphrey (Northwest Education Services), and Zachary Dezeeuw (Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center).
Career-based competitions provided students real-world practice for future employment opportunities while volunteer judges evaluated and offered feedback to our future leaders. The event includes inspirational speeches and student recognition that allow the young people to envision and aspire towards their future careers.
Our local JMG program is facilitated through Northwest Michigan Works! a program of Networks Northwest. The JMG program has partnerships with Northwest Education Services, Wexford-Missaukee ISD, Charlevoix-Emmet ISD, and Northwestern Michigan College.
Our Township greatly benefits from Network Northwest's experience, depth of knowledge and understanding. Because they work with so many diverse communities in our ten-county region they understand the local land-use issues and are already working on solutions by the time we realize we need some help.
- Susan Odom, Chair, Suttons Bay Township Planning Commission