LANSING, Mich. - On April 21, Youth Solutions hosted the 13th Annual Career Development Conference (CDC) at the Lansing Center, welcoming nearly 150 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) youth. Participants from across Michigan made their way to the state’s capital to showcase their workplace skills and knowledge through career-based competitions.

JMG is the premier program of Youth Solutions, a non-profit organization focused on equipping young people with the skills to overcome barriers and succeed in education, employment, and in life. Throughout the conference, individual and group events enabled participants to practice the skills they have learned in the JMG program throughout the year. Career-based competitions provided participants with real-world practice for future employment while volunteer judges evaluated performance and offered feedback. “This competition helps you hone in on good life skills, like problem solving, that will help you whether you are going to college or right into a job after high school.  All these events help you build on good qualities you can take with you and it’s so cool to have an opportunity like this!” said Cheyenne Holcomb, from the JMG program at Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College.

The conference created a truly immersive experience for Michigan youth to envision their future goals and careers. “This experience taught me greater professionalism and showed me how far I can go - you can always go further than you think you can!” said DeAnthony Martin, from the JMG program at Pershing High School in Detroit.  

The conference concluded with a luncheon and award ceremony. Keynote speaker, Lasha Murray – The Unapologetic Leadership Coach, encouraged the youth audience by connecting with them and sharing her story.  Her uplifting speech centered around the importance of networking, being a knowledge-master in your career, and how being your best self can lead to amazing opportunities.  The award ceremony recognized not only the competition winners, but also the annual Youth and Alumni of the Year awards, along with a new annual award, the Notable Alumni Award.  These annual awards are nomination based and presented to JMG youth and alumni who display exceptional leadership, character, and commitment to the values of JMG. Another new addition to the awards ceremony this year was the Youth Solutions Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Scholarship. YAC members, consisting of JMG youth and alumni, raised $500 through fundraising and advocacy efforts over the past year. The money raised will be awarded annually as a scholarship to a JMG youth working toward postsecondary education or a career credential.

Winners of the annual awards include:
- Youth of the Year (out of school): Lailah Smith, Downriver Community Conference
- Youth of the Year (in-school): Brooke Modro, Hartford High School
- Alumnus of the Year: Saylar Busher, Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
- Youth Advisory Council Scholarship: Jada Willis, JMG Workforce Pathways in Benton Harbor
- Notable Alumni: Nolan Henson, alumnus from Flint Southwestern Classical Academy and Mani Mesh, alumnus from Windover High School

Winners of the individual and team-based competitive events include:

Creative Problem Solving:
1. Benton Harbor High School: Nevaeh Stone, Madison Collins, Anijah Dancer, Ashton Sanders, Janiza Wright
2. West Michigan Works! Muskegon County: Xzayvier Horsley, Tayonna Mcquarter
3. Lansing School District; Donnie (Adam) Dominion, Carley (August) Doerr, Elayna DeLine

JMG Bowl:
1. Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College: Caden LaFayette, Hannah Holman, Lily Sweticha. Andres Cardoso, Jairo Lopez, Emily Muller, Yisell Gonzalez
2. Benton Harbor High School: Brianna Spencer Tatyanna Littles, Jaeden Meeks, Jaeden Meeks, Armani Collins, Kamden White
3. Hartford High School: Kaylie Axsom, Johanna Acevedo, Brooke Modro, Jasmine Bennet 

Chapter Marketing Competition:
1. Windover High School “Windover Warriors”: Haley Smolinski, Lydia San Miguel, Scott Young, Emerial Beatty, Harlee Tola, Alissa Frost, Jolina Ledesma
2. Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan: Ian Watson, Za’Indya Street, Macinley “Patch” Badgwell, Brooke Triplett, Lindsey Collins, Lamont Hawkins, Mariah Dunn, Jaylen Banister, Zakari Banister, Elijah Williams-Cooper, Owen Hamlet, Saylar Busher, Jasmine Harris, Jason Anderson, James Madden, Cubby Wolf, James Anthony
3. Hartford High School “Together We Can!”: Grace Weber, Ximena Hernandez, Guimell Hernandez

Interview Skills:
1. Savanna Bates, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan
2. Arturo Lora Cruz, Hope Academy
3. DeAnthony Martin, Pershing High School

Career Preparation:
1. Kamryn Kyles, Hartford High School
2. Guimell Hernandez, Hartford High school
3. Morgan McConnell, Mackinaw Trail Middle School

The event was made possible thanks in part to all of the volunteer judges, the support team from Kinexus Group, and our funders and event sponsors: the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Consumers Energy Foundation, Henry Ford Health, Michigan College Access Network, Lyons Industries, Strada Education Network, DTE Foundation, United Way of the Lakeshore, and United Way of Southwest Michigan.  Additionally, Michigan Works! partners play a leading role in the work of Youth Solutions.

About Youth Solutions, Inc.
Inspiring and connecting youth to achieve a future beyond imagination, Youth Solutions is committed to providing Michigan’s youth with motivation for an education, the experiences that prepare them for a job or career, and the tools to realize their potential. Youth Solutions has positively impacted more than 23,500+ youth ages 14 to 24 across Michigan. For more information about Youth Solutions, Inc. or to become a partner, visit us at ouryouthsolutions.org, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter or like us on Facebook at @ourYouthSolutions.