Students Attend Career Conference, Youth Advisor Receives Award

Students from the Beaver Island Lighthouse School and the the Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center  participated in the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) Career Conference April 28 in Lansing. At the event Northwest Michigan Works! Youth Advisor Dana Venhuizen received the JMG Specialist of the Year Award.

The Lighthouse School students attending the conference with Venhuizen were Traverse City senior Tasha Herrera and Beaver Island senior Jordan Marsh. The Career Tech Center students attending the conference were Marion senior Kyle Norris and Pine River senior Jordyn Woodring. They were joined by Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center JMG Specialist LeAnne Bush. All of the students participated in an employability skills competition, networked with other JMG students from around the state, and heard presentations from speakers including Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley.

The conference also included an awards presentation where Venhuizen received the Specialist of the Year Award. She was recognized for her inspirational service, consistently superior performance, and dedication to high standards of excellence. Venhuizen is the Northwest Michigan Works! Youth Advisor for Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties, and also coordinates the JMG program at the Lighthouse School, the Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center in Cadillac, and the Club 180 out of school youth program in Traverse City.

The statewide Jobs for Michigan's Graduates program helps Michigan's young people who are at risk of dropping out of high school, or who have already dropped out, graduate and make successful transitions to postsecondary education or meaningful employment. Students enrolled in the program are youth who have barriers to success, including deficiencies in basic skills, transportation, income and economic status.

(l-r) Jordyn Woodring, Kyle Norris, Dana Venhuizen, Jordan Marsh, Tasha Herrera