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Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates BLAST Camp Helps Students Prepare for New School Year

August 26, 2021

A special summer camp helped incoming Cadillac High School Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG) freshmen prepare for the upcoming school year. Five Cadillac students who participated in the JMG program last year as 8th graders attended the Building Leadership and Successful Teams (BLAST) Camp. The camp included group activities, guest speakers, and field trips to Pinnacle Truck Driving School, the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, and B.C. Pizza. The BLAST Camp was held August 17-19 at Cadillac High School to help create a smooth transition and ease worries for the incoming 9th graders.

"I loved the BLAST Camp,” said Renae Holderbaum, an incoming Cadillac High School 9th grader. “My favorite activity was going to the Carl T. Johnson visitor center and Pinnacle Truck Driving School and getting to go in a truck" 

"BLAST Camp was amazing,” said Clayton Galvanek, an incoming Cadillac High School 9th grader. “My favorite part was getting to make my own pizza at B.C. Pizza."

"JMG BLAST Camp provides our students with an easy transition to High School and sets the stage for success prior to the start of the school year,” said Konrad Molter, Cadillac High School principal. “What a fantastic opportunity to create new bonds."

The Cadillac Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates students who were 8th graders last year were the first students in the state to participate in a JMG Middle School program designed to help them develop leadership skills that will help them transition successfully from middle to high school and beyond. 

JMG is also available as a career and college readiness program for students at Cadillac Public and Innovation High Schools and at the Wexford-Missaukee Career-Tech Center. In addition to the programs in Cadillac, Northwest Michigan Works! also coordinates JMG high school programs at CASMAN Academy in Manistee, Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, the Traverse Bay Area ISD Career-Tech Center, and drop out recovery programs in Cadillac, Kalkaska, Manistee, and Traverse City.

Jobs for Michigan's Graduates equips young people with the skills to overcome barriers and succeed in education, employment, and in life. It is the leading program of Youth Solutions, Inc., a premier youth opportunity organization delivering employability and education services to young people across the state.

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