Seniors test skills at job conference

About 175 West Tennessee high school seniors put what they've learned in their career development classes to the test during the 24th annual Jobs for Tennessee Graduates conference at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson.

Teens from eight high schools - Hardin County, Carroll County Technical Center, McNairy Central, Clarksburg, Milan, Chester County, Peabody and Westview - attended the event Thursday. They participated in competitions in several areas, including public speaking, decision making, employment application, consumer math and employment interview.

Peabody senior LaShunte Duncan, 17, participated in the employment interview.

"I spent two weeks with the librarian going over questions that are usually asked in an interview," Duncan said.
She did not place in the competition, but she said participating in the program has helped with her career goals.

"I plan to go to the University of Memphis and major in nursing," she said.

Jobs for Tennessee Graduates was established in 1981 and was designed to ensure at-risk students graduate from high school and secure a career or pursue a college education.

Lisa Carter, youth program director for the Workforce Investment Act, said she'd like to see the program at all the high schools in West Tennessee.

Jackson-Madison County Schools does not have the program.

"Students will gain work-readiness skills, job skills and preparation for the workforce," Carter said.

Peabody senior Molly Blankenship was confident after her team competed in the "JAG Bowl," which requires students to answer questions about careers.

Blankenship, 17, explained the difference between a W-2 and W-4 form for the judges.

"I think our team did pretty well," she said.

Peabody's team won first place in the JAG Bowl.

Blankenship also gave a speech in the public speaking category. She came in second.
"I was nervous giving my speech," she said.

In her speech, Blankenship talked about taking the steps to success and leading a life to get to where a person wants to be.

She plans to attend University of Tennessee Martin and major in communications. She hopes to become a journalist.

Milan High School senior Mondrell Floyd, 17, won first place in public speaking.

"Success is not a matter of desire, but hard work," he said in his speech.

Floyd said young people can be successful if they apply what they've learned in class.

"You must evaluate your attitude, set goals, be organized, have commitment and be accountable," he said. "And when you do, grab hands, believe and reap the rewards."