Madison (Maddie) Collins, a senior at Benton Harbor High School, is inspiring other youth by demonstrating anything can be accomplished through hard work and determination. Maddie has been involved in the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) Program for the past year and credits her JMG Specialist, Corey Sterling, with connecting her to unforgettable experiences that help her strengthen her leadership skills.
Throughout her high school career, Maddie has built up an impressive resume which will help her as she attends college to pursue a Business Major with the intent to become an entrepreneur with her own fashion line.
One experience Maddie applied for and was selected to attend in December was the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) in Washington D.C. JMG is the Michigan affiliate of the national organization. Attending the NSLA gave her the opportunity to experience new things and network with other youth from around the country. “My experience at the NSLA was the opportunity of a lifetime. I got to meet new friends from Indiana, Ohio, Arizona, the Virgin Islands - I got to meet people from all over this world. It was so great to be able to connect with people that were so genuine, learn different leadership skills and grow," expressed Maddie. She plans to use the networking skills in college and as she builds her career.
Maddie is very active in her community and passionate about helping others. In her spare time, she works with children at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan and participates in various community service projects such as volunteering at the soup kitchen and cleaning up the streets of Benton Harbor. Maddie was recently crowned Miss Benton Harbor 2023, an award judged on poise, interviewing skills, community service, and communication, all skills that JMG helped her develop. In addition to JMG, Maddie is a part of the Upward Bound program at Lake Michigan College, which provides her additional college preparatory services.
We look forward to watching her shine and can’t wait to see everything she accomplishes throughout her last year of high school and beyond.
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