Haley Maners takes third in JAG competition

Haley Maners is recognized by Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Fred Payne after presenting at the state competition.

Courtesy Indiana JAG

CLOVERDALE -- Continuing a stretch of successes for the Cloverdale Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program, senior Haley Maners recently added another top result at the state level.

Attending a state competition at the Ivy Tech campus in Indianapolis earlier this month, Maners took third place in the Career Presentation category. Cloverdale senior Kierra Gilliam also competed in the Writing Skills competition. Both took first place in these categories respectively at the regional Career Development Conference in February.

“I was so blessed to have the opportunity to go the State JAG competition,” Maners told the Banner Graphic. “It not only allowed me to improve my presentation skills, but I was also able to make friends with students from all over Indiana.”

“I am especially thankful for the advice, guidance and support I received from my JAG teacher Mr. Turk,” she added.

Cloverdale’s JAG program is advised by coach Karl Turk, who expressed that the rigors of the competition have inspired growth in Maners’ confidence and overall personal growth.

“I am so immensely proud of Haley,” Turk said. “She would be the first to admit not feeling the most comfortable speaking to an audience, but through the vehicle of this competition, I have seen her flourish and gain confidence in her speaking ability, a confidence that I see permeating into all her endeavors.”

Turk also commented that he was excited to see Maners’ peers help her prepare for the state competition, and suggested that this contributed greatly to all of their success.

“As a specialist, I am so proud of the interaction of the different years of JAG cohorts in the preparation for the contest,” he added. “Jordan Harrell from the Class of 2018 finished second in the regional competition, and was instrumental in helping Haley and Chelsie Edwards (who finished third in this year’s regional) experience their success this year.”

JAG is a state-based, school-to-career program committed to stemming dropouts among students who may have significant obstacles to graduation or employment, and enables work-based learning experiences which can lead to greater success after high school.

The JAG program at Cloverdale High School is a member of Region Seven in Indiana, which consists of all of the high schools in Putnam, Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vigo and Vermillion counties.