A Storm Lake High School student earned national honors at the Jobs for America’s Graduates National Career Development Conference (NCDC), held April 19–21 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Eden Etse placed fourth nationally in Prepared Speaking, a competition in which students write and deliver an original speech to demonstrate effective communication skills. Etse was among more than 20 Iowa students who qualified for the national event through the state‑affiliated Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) program.
The conference brought together more than 700 students from 32 states for competitions, employer engagement sessions and career exploration activities on a national stage.
Iowa students placed in the top 10 in eight of the 10 competitive categories. In addition to Storm Lake’s fourth‑place finish in Prepared Speaking, top Iowa results included:
- 2nd place: Prairie High School (Cedar Rapids), L.O.V.E. Project
- 2nd place: North Tama High School, Career Preparation
- 5th place: Clarke High School (Osceola), Financial Literacy
- 6th place: Green Mountain‑Garwin High School, Business Plan
- 8th place: Green Mountain‑Garwin High School, JAG Promo Video
- 9th place: North Tama High School, Employability Skills
- 9th place: Green Mountain‑Garwin, Project‑Based Learning Showcase
Students advanced to nationals after qualifying at the Iowa Career Development Conference held in Des Moines in March.
iJAG leaders say the program provides career education, leadership development and work‑based learning to more than 11,000 Iowa students in grades 7–12.
“These students demonstrated exceptional leadership, preparation and professionalism on a national stage,” said Wendy Mihm‑Herold, president and CEO of iJAG.
