Pershing County just added one more path to help students graduate and get started in life. At the school board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, Superintendent Russell Fecht spoke to the trustees about the high school’s newest lifeline.
JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) began in Delaware in 1979 and quickly spread to 32 states. In 2013, former Governor Brian Sandoval brought the private nonprofit to the Silver State. JAG Nevada operates in over 40 high schools. Now, PCHS students can participate in the multi-year program.
JAG Nevada chose Jesse Canchola as its trailblazer at the high school. Canchola graduated with Pershing’s Class of 2002.
After graduation, Canchola worked as a fire assay technician and coached basketball at Hug, Galena and Damonte Ranch High Schools. He and Amber Montes-Canchola married in 2010, and are raising three young children. Last year, he returned to his alma mater to mentor the JV boys.
“I’m super excited to help these kids out,” said Canchola. As a trained JAG specialist, he’ll offer individual and group instruction designed to knock down barriers to success. He’s already started working with 26 JAG students.
“I’ve done some ice breaker activities this week,” he said. “I’ve also talked about leadership qualities, communication skills and the JAG model. So far, the kids say it’s a great class.”
JAG’s Director of Programs in Northern Nevada, Jim Dahl, says JAG encourages behaviors that many students lack, like self-discipline and self regulation. JAG emphasizes “soft skills” like how to be an effective listener, give a proper handshake or advocate for oneself.
“A lot of these young people have been given messages by the education system that they’re not worth the investment; that they’re failures that they don’t belong here,” says Rene Cantu Jr., JAG Nevada’s Executive Director. “Our message to them is that education is so valuable you do belong here- you do belong in school.”
JAG Nevada has formed some powerful partnerships. For the past three years, Tesla’s Management Development Program has employed a significant number of JAG graduates. Meanwhile, the grads attend classes in related fields.
The program provides for 20 credits worth of classes at Truckee Meadows Community College as well as a job at Tesla working as a production associate. Students get hands-on experience in fields like automation, robotics and automotive maintenance.
Tesla covers transportation and chips in a stipend to help with housing costs. To date, about 60 candidates have completed the two-year apprenticeship. Most go on to work for the company. JAG Nevada also partners with many other businesses.
JAG’s funding comes from the State of Nevada, private donations and sponsorships. “I provide a location and kids for them to work with,” said the superintendent.
Other business
• Leadership students Whitlee Diaz, Aimee Carpenter and Sugeily Valtierra updated the board on events at their respective schools.
On Feb. 13, the elementary school’s Fun and Fitness program will host its Valentine Parent Walk. Dr. Seuss Family Night is slated for March 3, said Diaz. The annual school play, The Haunted School House, takes place on March 11, 12 and 13.
Valtierra reported that the middle school has begun a book study. They are reading “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” by Sean Covey. Seventh-grader Landon Smith will represent PCMS in Las Vegas at the State Championship round of the NatGeo Bee.
Carpenter, the PCHS student body president, spoke about Winterfest activities. The weeklong tradition unfolds from Jan. 27 – Feb. 1.
• The Vietnam Veterans of America, from Lovelock Correctional Center, donated $250 to the school district. Eagle Picher Mine donated $5,160.00 to Lovelock Elementary School.
• Shea Murphy spoke about the middle school’s efforts to help the students get a handle on missing assignments. After schoolwide incentives, 57 out of 148 students turned in all their work for the first semester, “a huge turnaround since the beginning of school,” she reported to the board.
• Lovelock Elementary School recently adopted a new math curriculum, said Ed Bake. The curriculum is now consistent throughout grades K-12.
• The next school board meeting is on Feb. 18 at 5:15 p.m. at the district office on 1150 Elmhurst Avenue.
For more information about JAG Nevada, visit j4ng.org.
