Empowered to Lead: A Celebration of Student Success at JAG CA Career Development Conference 2026

Empowered to Lead: A Celebration of Student Success at JAG CA Career Development Conference (CDC)2026

On February 25, 2026, JAG students from across California gathered in Lancaster for the highly anticipated JAG CA CDC 2026.

From the moment students arrived, the energy in the room was electric. Dressed professionally and ready to compete, present, and learn, students embraced the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and onto a larger stage. The conference was filled with anticipation, encouragement, and celebration as peers cheered one another on, Specialists offered last-minute words of support, and students demonstrated the skills they have worked all year to develop through their JAG programs at their schools.

A Day of Growth, Competition, and Opportunity

Students proudly represented their JAG Programs from their school, including:

• Learn4Life & Elev8 Online Schools
• San Gorgonio High School
• Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD)

Throughout the day, participants demonstrated excellence in communication, professionalism, leadership, and career readiness reflecting the mission of Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG).

Beyond competition, students immersed themselves in hands-on, career-connected workshops including:

• Cricut 101
• Financial Literacy
• Culinary Arts
• Construction & Skilled Trades
• The Art of Printmaking
• Animation & Creative Careers

Many students also completed training and earned an industry-recognized CPR certification, strengthening their resumes and gaining a credential that can immediately impact their communities.

During the event, students also participated in two powerful leadership labs “Lead Under Pressure: Own the Moment” was led by Craig Beswick, Vice President of Workforce and Education Programs and offered students science-based tools to manage stress, remain focused under pressure, and stay composed during high-stakes situations such as interviews, presentations, deadlines, and competitions. By exploring HeartMath’s Heart-Focused Breathing and coherence techniques grounded in over 30 years of research on heart-brain interaction, students learned how to neutralize panic, sharpen focus, and sustain calm energy when it matters most.

In addition, students took part in “Think. Move. Connect.”, a highly interactive session led by JAG Specialists Diana Castro, Luis Gomez, Carlos Narez, and Edith Osorto. Through fun, fast-paced activities, interactive games, and meaningful conversations, students strengthened their critical thinking, communication skills, confidence, and ability to connect with others. These workshops reinforced that strong people skills grow not in silence, but through action, collaboration, and shared experience.

The conference was not only a showcase of talent, but it was also a space where students built confidence, discovered new interests, explored career pathways, and connected with peers from across the state while proudly representing their JAG Programs from their schools.

Special Guests

We were truly honored to welcome Craig Beswick, Vice President of Workforce and Education Programs, along with distinguished leaders from JAG National, and representatives from Valvoline:

·       Karin Wu, Senior Vice President of Advancement & External Affairs

·       Shelby Williams, Secretary of the JAG Career Association

·       Tammy Garcia, Field Recruiting Administrator, Henley Enterprises | dba Valvoline Instant Oil Change

·       Fatima Vazquez, Recruiter for the Hesperia Area, Henley Enterprises | dba Valvoline Instant Oil Change

It was a privilege to have them attend the event, engage with our outstanding JAG students and Specialists, and witness firsthand the remarkable talent, professionalism, and leadership being cultivated across California.

Karin and Shelby generously supported the conference by serving as judges and assisting with the evaluation process, ensuring every student experienced a fair, meaningful, and enriching competition.

We are deeply grateful for their time, partnership, and encouragement. Their presence added an extra layer of inspiration and prestige to the conference, and our students and Specialists were truly energized by the opportunity to learn from and connect with such accomplished leaders.

2026 Competition Winners

We are proud to recognize the outstanding students and their dedicated JAG Specialists:

Employability Skills

1st Place: Love Green
JAG Specialist: Carlos Narez
School: Alta Vista Innovation High School

2nd Place: Logan Larson
JAG Specialist: Carlos Narez
School: Alta Vista Innovation High School

3rd Place: Gabriela Reyes
JAG Specialist: Nancy Esqueda
School: Assurance Learning Academy

Career Preparation

1st Place: Maritza Tirado
JAG Specialist: Carlos Narez
School: Alta Vista Innovation High School

2nd Place: Alyssa Ramirez
JAG Specialist: Nancy Esqueda
School: Assurance Learning Academy

3rd Place: Erik Reyes
JAG Specialist: Mike Cruz
School: San Diego Workforce Innovation High School

Prepared Speaking

1st Place: Snow Feather
JAG Specialist: Carlos Narez
School: Alta Vista Innovation High School

2nd Place: David Rodriguez Lara
JAG Specialist: Zenaida Alcantar
School: Elev8 Online Schools

3rd Place: Amari Guy
JAG Specialist: Carlos Narez
School: Alta Vista Innovation High School

Advancing to the National Stage

Winning students will advance to represent JAG California at the National Career Development Conference, taking place April 30 – May 2, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

At the national level, students will compete alongside top JAG members from across the United States, participate in leadership development sessions, and connect with employers and industry partners during career exploration opportunities, and celebrate excellence during the Closing Awards Ceremony. Representing California and their JAG Programs at their schools on the national stage is an incredible accomplishment, and we are excited to see our students shine.

Congratulations to All Participants

Congratulations to all of our winners and their incredible JAG Specialists for their commitment, preparation, and leadership.

We also want to celebrate:

• Every student who competed
• Every student who attended workshops
• Every student who explored career pathways in construction, culinary arts, animation, printmaking, financial     literacy, and design
• Every student who participated in the leadership labs
• Every student who earned their CPR industry-recognized certification
• Every JAG Specialist who mentored, prepared, and supported their students

Whether students stood on stage presenting, collaborated in hands-on workshops and labs, earned certifications, or supported their peers from the audience, each participant demonstrated courage, growth, and professionalism while representing their JAG Programs.

The 2026 JAG CA CDC was more than a conference, it was a celebration of resilience, preparation, leadership, and possibility. Every student represented JAG California and their JAG Program with pride, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

Special Thanks

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of the presenters, judges, support coordinators, and volunteers who made this event possible. Your time, expertise, guidance, and dedication ensured that our students had a meaningful and successful experience.

A very special thank you to Karin Wu and Shelby Williams from JAG National and to Valvoline representatives, Tammy Garcia and Fatima Vazquez, for attending, engaging with students, and supporting the event. Your presence and encouragement made a lasting impact on our students and JAG Specialists.

We truly could not have done it without your support.

The future is bright for JAG California!

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