A highlight of our annual Summer Summit professional development conference is the inspirational awards ceremony, where we honor exceptional Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialists and celebrate the remarkable program achievements from across the state. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as we proudly announced the award winners, giving them the well-deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions.
JAG Six Key Performance Metrics Award Winners
The Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Award for achieving their six key performance metrics is the most prestigious programming award given to JAG affiliate programs. Recipients of this award have met or surpassed all of JAG’s rigorous performance metrics dedicated to ensuring young people succeed in education and have a path toward family sustaining employment.
We are so excited to announce that for the 2nd year in a row, Youth Solutions achieved the six key performance metrics in all three program models: Multi-Year, Alternative Education, and Out-of-School!
Regional Winners - all programs in the following regions met all six of JAG’s key performance metrics criteria:
Affiliate | Program Type |
DESC | Multi-Year |
DESC | Out-of-School |
GST Michigan Works! | Multi-Year |
GST Michigan Works! | Out-of-School |
Marquette Alger Technical Middle College | Out-of-School |
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium | Out-of-School |
Michigan Works! Southeast | Out-of-School |
Michigan Works! Southwest | Out-of-School |
Michigan Works! West Central | Out-of-School |
Networks Northwest | Alternative Education |
Networks Northwest | Out-of-School |
UP Michigan Works! | Out-of-School |
West Michigan Works! | Out-of-School |
Youth Solutions | Multi-Year |
Program Specialist Winners:
The individual programs who met all six of JAG’s key performance metrics criteria are:
Alternative Programs:
Nick Smith, Northview Next Career Center
Josh Todd, Networks Northwest, East Jordan High School, Central Lake High School, Beaver Island Community School
Lisa Baldyga, Networks Northwest, Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center
Marc Svatora, Networks Northwest Pellston High School, Harbor Springs High School, Alanson High School
LeAnne Bush, Networks Northwest, Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center
Kim Benz, Networks Northwest, Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center - Culinary & CTE Programs
Multi-Year Programs:
Anita Graham, Cody High School
LaChelle Williams, Osborn High School
Carolyn Miller, Pershing High School
Anita Jones, Eau Claire High School
DaShawn Ross, Hamady High School
India Potts, Southwestern Classical Academy
Hunter Morrison, Vassar High School
Corey Sterling, Benton Harbor High School
Jocelynne Braddock, Hartford High School
Out of School Programs:
Jessica Romzek, Michigan Works! Region 7B Service Centers in Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw Counties
Misty Johnson, Michigan Works! Region 7B, Beaverton Junior/Senior High School
Genny Palmer & Sandy Russell, Michigan Works! Region 7B, Gladwin High School
Charron Basey, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing School District
Ronald Norwood, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), Covenant House Academy- Southeast
L’Tonya Felder, DESC, Covenant House Academy Central
Reggie Williams, DESC
Haley Rhoades & Chris Canchola, Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College
Nicole Medellin, GST Michigan Works!, Family Literacy Center
Katie Chrismer, GST Michigan Works!, Family Literacy Center
Dominque Clay, GST Michigan Works!, Flint Service Center
Shemeca Thompson, Flint Service Center
Jen Hoffmeyer, Michigan Works! Southeast, Livingston Michigan Works! Service Center
Rachel Spalvieri-Kruse & Katie McCuen, MW! Southwest, Youth Opportunities Unlimited - Kalamazoo County
Vanessa Wolgamott, Michigan Works! West Central
Jeanie Flory, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties
Erin O’Rourke, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Crawford County
Seth Gruenberg, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Otsego and Montmorency Counties
Tracy Beckley, Crooked Tree High School
Kim Benz, Networks Northwest, Cadillac Innovation High School
Debbie Bean, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Houghton County Service Center
Susan Jewell, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Luce County Service Center
Julia Kettle, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Marquette County Service Center
Erin Hollon, West Michigan Works!, Ionia County
AnnaLisa Tapia, West Michigan Works! Montcalm County
Heather Bates & Trena Winston-Williams, West Michigan Works!, Muskegon County
Recognition of JAG High Performers
Annually, JAG recognizes a group of specialists, managers, school administrators, community leaders, or partners who have positively impacted a JAG affiliate. This year, Youth Solutions selected a few key partners who have impacted JMG beyond the program level, and will leave a lasting impact on JMG regionally or statewide. This year’s High Performer Award winners were recognized at the recent JAG National Training Seminar (NTS) in Las Vegas.
Drew Klopcic - Northview Next Career Center
Jocelynne Braddock - Youth Solutions, Hartford High School
Whirlpool Corporation - In honor of its exceptional JMG program in Benton Harbor.
JAG Outstanding Specialist Awards
Each year, JAG National invites state affiliates to nominate up to three Outstanding Specialist award winners. These award winners are all-around excellent, consistently delivering on the mission and offering best-in-class programs. Yearly, specialists from across the state are nominated by their managers and peers, and three awardees are selected. Congratulations to our three JAG Outstanding Specialists:
Katie Chrismer, GST Michigan Works!, Family Literacy Center
Nick Smith, Northview Next Career Center
Summer Tahaney, Oakland County Michigan Works!,Michigan Works! Waterford
Outstanding Manager of the Year
The Outstanding Manager of the Year award is given to one JMG Manager each year who exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional leader. An outstanding JMG Manager not only demonstrates dedication, but also motivates, supports, and inspires their team, helping them through their daily work, and allowing them to do what they do best - providing Michigan’s youth the support and experiences that prepare them for their futures. Our Outstanding Manager of the Year was awarded to:
Angela Libkie, JMG Manager at GST Michigan Works!
NEW! Sterling Service Award
The Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Sterling Service Award, is a new award presented to a JMG specialist or manager to recognize their unwavering commitment and dedication to the JMG program and the youth within their community. It serves as a testament to their years of service and the profound difference they’ve made in the lives of the youth under their mentorship. The inaugural recipient is:
Corey Sterling, Youth Solutions Benton Harbor High School
Rising Star Awards
This award is to recognize first year specialists who have performed at an exceptional level, taking initiative, rising to the challenge of being a new specialist and excelling in their role. Five Rising Stars were recognized this year:
Robin Clark, SEMCA, Ecorse High School
Josh Todd, Networks Northwest, East Jordan High School, Central Lake High School, Beaver Island Community School
Jessica Lundy, Michigan Works! West Central Lake County
Sandra Gray, Michigan Works! Region 7B, Roscommon High School
Sam Frizzell, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Delta County Service Center
Living Our Values Awards
Each year we recognize members of our JMG network who embody each of our organizational values in their everyday lives: collaboration, leadership, excellence, and remaining solutions-focused. We award specialists specific to each value. Below are the award winners for each category.
Collaboration
Recipients of the collaboration value award understand the crucial role of community engagement in introducing our youth to various careers and opportunities. These individuals collaborate to line up guest speakers, talent tours etc. They also are positive role models, fostering collaboration between their youth, encouraging teamwork and alignment toward common goals. We were pleased to recognize five members of our JMG network for their outstanding collaborative efforts:
Eric Brown, SEMCA: Hamtramck High School
Leah Alexander, Ingham Academy/Peckham, Inc.
Katie McCuen, Michigan Works! Southwest, Youth Opportunities Unlimited - Kalamazoo County
Laura Quist, Networks Northwest, Cadillac High School
Corey Sterling, Youth Solutions, Benton Harbor High School
Leadership
Leaders inspire others by their actions more than their words. They support not only their youth, but their co-workers. They go above and beyond. They also understand the critical need to get input from a variety of perspectives on any given topic. A range of opinions leads to a better outcome. Finally, leaders coach, mentor, advocate and are trusted role models. We were pleased to recognize the following five leaders for their amazing leadership skills:
Kere Milow, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing School District
Sabrina Plamondon, GST Michigan Works!
Jeanie Flory, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties
Tracy Beckley, Networks Northwest
Jim Benton, Michigan Works! Southwest
Excellence
This year’s awardees have much in common. They strive to succeed in all that they do and achieve more than the goals they set. They use their knowledge, experience and compassion, to ensure our youth have what they need to succeed. They look for ways to be a resource to others to help more young people prepare for their futures. Congratulations to our excellence winners who are always striving for more:
Haley Rhoades, Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College
Anita Jones, Eau Claire High School
Cathy Schanski, Networks Northwest, Petoskey Middle School & Middle School
Billy Coleman, Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
Kim Benz, Networks Northwest, Cadillac Innovation High School
Julie Moore, West Michigan Works!
Solutions-Focused
These words carry a strong message, our name is in it. We work to find THE solution that will work for THAT young person. We will search for opportunities to remove barriers and persist in addressing challenges and celebrating successes. The ultimate solution is graduating with a postsecondary plan and following a path to a family sustaining career. To those always finding a way to work it out, congratulations to our solutions-focused winners:
Jen Hoffmeyer, Michigan Works! Southeast, Livingston Service Center
Erin O’Rourke, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, Crawford County
L’Tonya Felder, DESC, Covenant House Academy Central
Elizabeth Curry, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Peckham, Inc. - Clinton County Service Center
Nicole Medellin, GST Michigan Works!, Family Literacy Center
Daynan Brown, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Eaton County Service Center
NEW AWARDS
Over the years, Youth Solutions and Jobs for Michigan's Graduates have experienced remarkable growth. This year, we are excited to introduce new awards that celebrate the outstanding efforts of the teams and individuals who excelled in unique ways that empower JMG programs and youth.
JMG JAGForce Jedi Award
This is being awarded to a team that demonstrated excellence through data. The Force is strong in this team! Congratulations to our JMG JAGForce Jedi Award winner:
GST Michigan Works!
JMG Team of Teams Award
This team has demonstrated that in addition to being agile leaders within their own programs, they also step up to support each other in a multitude of ways to support the goal of positively impacting the youth in their community. Congratulations to our JMG Team of Teams Award winner:
Networks Northwest
JMG Collaborative Community Award
These JMG programs work seamlessly at the intersection of education and workforce development to support the youth of their community and amplify their impact. Congratulations to our JMG Collaborative Community Award winners:
West Michigan Works! Muskegon County
Muskegon Public Schools
JMG Tech Trailblazers Award
This award recognizes those enthusiastic users of JMG’s innovative tools and resources with demonstrated positive impacts to their programming. Congratulations to our JMG Tech Trailblazers Award winners:
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
JMG Brand Ambassador Award
This award recognizes those that continually promote JMG and flawlessly implements all JMG brand guidelines. Congratulations to our JMG Brand Ambassador Award winner:
Northview Next
JMG Influencer Award
This award recognizes those individuals who utilize social media for good by celebrating their youth and sharing the JMG story. Congratulations JMG Influencer Award winners:
Carolyn Miller, DESC, Pershing High School
Steven Lopez, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Sexton High School
Lisa Baldyga, Networks Northwest, Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center
We couldn't be prouder of each and every one of our JMG specialists and managers and the incredible things they continue to achieve. To see more highlights from the Summer Summit, follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow our Youth Solutions Twitter and Facebook pages as well!
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