The 2012 National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) 418 of our young leaders and 121 Specialists and staff.
An intensive series of leadership development and teaming activities were conducted. All of the students were able to participate in the Leadership Awards Luncheon. They also received a special tour of the icons of American democracy and interacted with the senior management of Jobs for America's Graduates.
The students showed an enormous amount of enthusiasm, energy, and excitement for the variety of leadership development, exploring the Nation’s Capital, competing in two events, participating in the Talent Show, networking with JAG students across the country, and being away from home for the first time and attending the National Student Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C..
Our special appreciation to the twenty-two (22) states that were able to secure the resources to sponsor their delegates to NSLA for what many have described as a “life-changing” experience!
NSLA Factoids
Total number of delegates: 539
· Total students: 418
· Total chaperones: 121
States sponsoring delegates: 22
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Wisconsin, and West Virginia
1st Place Cover Design—Erin Gill (TN)
Employability Skills Winners
1st Place—Celina Ferrell (TN)
2nd Place—Amanda Goupil (NH)
3rd Place—Danny Nguyen (AZ)
Public Speaking Winners
1st Place—Terry Pitman, Jr. (LA)
2nd Place—Jordan Whitfield (MS)
3rd Place—Kaylyn Hill (LA)
Kuder Video Contest Winner: Amy Grayson (TN)
AgCareers Essay Contest Winner: Cameron Clement (LA)
Leadership Group Facilitator Volunteers: 10
· Loretta Apodaca (NM)
· Health Denison (LA)
· Carlane Gregory (PA)
· Tanya Moulton (AZ)
· John Norton (DE)
· Cornelius Robinson, Jr. (MO)
· Ron Robinson (DE)
· Alexis Siamas (IN)
· Lisa Thomas (LA)
· Mark Thomas (OH)
JAG Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
NSLA delegates are loaded on twelve buses for an unforgettable experience in Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The public wreath laying ceremony is a way to connect 539 JAG students and chaperones with those hallowed grounds befitting the sacrifice of all who have served our nation with dignity and honor and rest here in quiet repose. The delegates are able to visit the John F. Kennedy grave and eternal flame and walk by the thousands of men and women who demonstrated incomparable commitment to serve their country. Two JAG delegates (Cassidy-rae Troupe [AZ] and Jonathan Pointer [TN]) were selected to carry the Wreath as seen in the photo above. One student shared, “I lost my father in Afghanistan and this experience means the world to me. Thank you and God Bless America!”