Cloverdale JAG recognized

Cloverdale JAG instructor Karl Turk (center) with several of his students after he was named Putnam County Citizen of the Year this spring.

INDIANAPOLIS — Cloverdale High School’s Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program was recently recognized by the state for its successes during the 2021-22 school year.

Cloverdale’s program, as well as North Putnam’s, earned JAG’s 5 of 5 Award, which recognizes programs that have met or exceeded standards for graduation rates, job placement or military service, total positive outcomes, full-time placement and total full-time jobs.

Cloverdale JAG coordinator Karl Turk was recognized for efforts in securing $931,400 in scholarship funds, the third-largest amount in the state. He was also honored for his five years of service to the program. Meanwhile, Sullivan High School’s JAG coordinator Diana Lighthizer was credited with $1.84 million.

Cloverdale’s JAG program is part of Region 7, which consists of each high school in Putnam, Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vigo and Vermillion counties.

Region 7 also earned JAG’s Regional 5 of 5 Award for its programs excelling to those standards as a whole.

More than 135 JAG programs operate in Indiana and are supported by local school administrations and the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board.

“Region 7’s JAG specialists are among the best in the nation,” remarked Western Indiana Workforce Development Board Executive Director Lisa Lee. “Their dedication to their students is a leading factor in successfully launching these young people into college, post-secondary education