"Faces of JAG" Impact Stories

SERVING ARIZONA STUDENTS SINCE 1980

For more than 40 years, Jobs for Arizona's Graduates has served more than 40,000 students on school campuses and in community-based programs throughout the state. Our students and alumni are excited to share their JAG journey with you and the impact JAG has had in their lives throughout the years. Enjoy!

RYAN KLEM

West Point High School JAG Coordinator, Ryan Klem, shares why he's passionate in preparing students for the workforce, improving academic achievements, developing life skills, providing college and career guidance, and making a positive impact in student lives.

JENNA FLORES

As the 2022-23 State Career Association President, Jenna demonstrated outstanding dedication and passion in empowering her fellow Arizona students to reach their full potential. Jenna shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs throughout her JAG journey. 

RYAN'S STORY

Ryan Johnson is a senior at Coolidge High School and host for JAG News Desk for the 2021-22 school year. Check out Ryan's JAG story on another Faces of JAG episode!

BRYAN'S STORY

Bryan is a senior at West Point High School in the west valley and is currently enrolled in JAG and the Automotive program at West-MEC's northeast campus. Bryan was introduced to West-MEC while preparing his career path in his JAG program. Bryan shares the impact of JAG and CTE in his education and future career goals.

ANNA'S STORY

Welcome to another episode of Faces of JAG! We had a chance to sit down with JAG Alumni, Anna Tovar, as she shares her JAG experience and a special message to current JAG students. You'll be inspired after hearing from Anna Tovar! Anna is a Tolleson Union High School JAG alumni from Class of 1992.

BOB'S STORY

We sat down with JAG Alumni, Bob Burns, to share his JAG story and describe what led him to his now, 36 years with General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). Check out this inspiring story as Bob connects his career success with the JAG program at Coronado High School. “In high school, I would have never thought I would work for a technology company, JAG got me there,” Burns reflects.

DIEGO'S STORY

Diego Espinoza shares his JAG journey; from attending Tolleson Union High School in the early '90s to the Arizona State Capital serving in the House. Diego continues to support JAG students and inspires them by sharing his story in JAG classrooms and at state events and helps students to learn the importance of serving their communities. 

ERICK'S STORY

By his own account, Erick has received plenty of support in the program. He attributes his success to his coordinator, Holly Gorman, who also supported both his brother and sister through JAG. Erick Osorio Canizales shares his JAG journey in hopes to inspire others to support programs like JAG. Erick will be graduating from Paradise Valley High School in May 2022.

MARTIN'S STORY

When Martin was a sophomore at Tolleson Union High School, he became one of the first students to join the community-based JAG program in the City of Tolleson. Currently a senior at Georgetown University, he is grateful for the opportunities and skills he gained in JAG. 

JUAN'S STORY

Juan Rodriguez shares his story. A 1992 Tolleson Union High School JAG alumni, Mayor Rodriguez has been serving public office for 15 years and is currently the Mayor of the City of Tolleson. He continues to support JAG students and inspires them to reach for their goals reminding them that they are not alone.

SHANAHYAH'S STORY

Shanahyah was supposed to speak at the 2020 Career Development Conference as the winner of the Public Speaking Competition. Due to the pandemic, she was unable to share this live. She believes there's so many different pathways you can take after school and that JAG helps you learn your personality, your likes, and your qualities. "I feel that JAG shows you how to create a life after high school.” 
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DUYANH'S STORY

From being alone in school to making friends, finding a place for himself, DuyAnh’s story is one of constant growth, the kind of growth that brings others up alongside him. Wanting to add leadership experience to his resume, DuyAnh ran for JAG Treasurer during his senior year.
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IYANA'S STORY

Hear Iyana's inspiring story as she shares about her experience in JAG. Iyana won the 2018 Public Speaking Competition at the Career Development Conference. She was also a member of the University of Phoenix LEADS and Vice President of her JAG program at Tempe High School.

MADELINE'S STORY

Madeline Zavala wasn’t thinking about graduating at all. High school was hard, confusing, and disorienting. She couldn’t think far ahead - it was like a long walk with no end in sight. “I was just thinking, ok, I’ll get my GED.” The next school year Maddie joined Tempe High School’s Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates class.
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NASIK'S STORY

Nasik attended Coronado High School and knew she wanted to become a nurse. Her JAG Coordinator helped her develop her career path and the step by step guidance she needed to succeed.
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PRINCE'S STORY

“In middle school. I was getting in trouble a lot. And because of that, I was consistently getting calls home, I was getting returned home." Like many students Prince found himself caught in a kind of feedback loop: continued struggles led to discouragement. Discouragement led to further struggles. “And honestly I'm surprised that I wasn't expelled.”
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Celina Lopez

CELINA'S STORY

Celina’s first years of life were a struggle. At a young age, Celina and her mother fled to the United States seeking a better life after enduring years of abuse. “My mom and I went through a situation of domestic violence with her husband,” Celina recalls, “We had to escape to a shelter as soon as we could.”
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