Benton Central’s JAG students have been preparing for weeks for their upcoming Indiana Region 4 Career Development Conference. On Thursday, February 6, they will compete in a variety of different events and competitions at Ivy Tech, showcasing their skills in leadership, problem-solving, and professional development.
If students win their competition, they will earn the opportunity to advance to the state level. In addition to competing for titles, some events also offer prize money, adding extra motivation for the participants.
Here are the Benton Central JAG students competing in this year’s conference:
Chapter Brochure: Paizley Stepp
Chapter Commercial: Jackson Bunch, Hayden Wilson, Parker Richey
Chapter Social Media Campaign: Jazmine Merril, Clarissa Vera, Meghan Cackley
Business Plan: Caden Kawlewski, Eli Sheets, Owen Pearson
Creative Decision Making: Tyler Spence, Meghan Cackley, Clarissa Vera
Project-Based Learning: Paizley Stepp, Maria Miranda-Hernandez, Val Caliz
Digital Invitation/Cover Design: Dean Khazaal
Career Preparation: Zayne Reynolds
Employability Skills: Sean Linvill
Prepared Speaking: Jazmine Merrill
Financial Literacy: Jacob Rice
Outstanding Senior: Wyatt Amor
To gain insight into the preparation process and competition, we spoke with Caden Kawlewski, a member of the Business Plan team.
Q: “How long have you been working on your project?”
Caden: “We have been working periodically for a few weeks, but this week we have been working daily since the deadline is Thursday.”
Q: “How do you feel about the upcoming event?”
Caden: “I am not as nervous as other people since I have competed for BPA. I am still a little nervous because you get one chance in front of the judges and must remain professional.”
Q: “How would you describe the JAG program to students deciding if they should take the class?”
Caden: “JAG is a life-based class, while most people think you won’t use it in the real world, In JAG you do. We have learned how to do taxes, apply for jobs, make resumes, and budgets, and learn about various careers. The class has also brought many kids in my class out of their shells. At the beginning of the year, they would barely talk now they are not. I recommend it to everyone because it will open you up to new activities. ”
Many of them have been working tirelessly to prepare for this exciting milestone. Please join us in wishing them the best of luck as they showcase their skills and compete in the 2025 Region 4 CDC!
