The accomplishments of Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) students at Sanford High School and SRTC took center stage at the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, May 21. Friends, family members, teachers, and school administrators gathered to honor the hard work and successes of the JMG program participants during the annual Closing Ceremony. The event opened with welcoming statements from JMG Specialist Chery Gifford, who oversees the program at SHS Sanford. Throughout the ceremony, multi-year JMG students were recognized with certificates honoring their participation and achievements in the program over multiple years. The graduating seniors in the JMG program were also given special recognition as they get ready to transition to life after high school. A highlight of the event was a slideshow video created by Alissa Letourneau that recapped highlights and memorable moments from the JMG program throughout the school year. All grade levels of JMG participants were honored during the celebratory ceremony. "The closing ceremony is such a great event to showcase the students' year in JMG," said Cheryl Gifford, a JMG Specialist. "The ceremony is student-run, giving them a chance to demonstrate leadership and celebrate their efforts in community service and career research." Gifford also highlighted juniors and seniors who have completed their Career Exploration Badge. The badge is an opportunity to participate in 40 hours of meaningful work experiences facilitated through a designed exploration and reflection process.  SHS and SRTC students had to complete these hours of hands-on employer engagement experiences and online modules utilizing JMG's management system. Students had to document their employer experience. Upon completion, students received an academic award of up to $500.  Over the past two years, 178 SHS and SRTC students have completed their badge, totaling over $88,000 to the Sanford community. The JMG program provides high school students with career preparation, leadership, and hands-on learning experiences to help them succeed after graduation. The annual closing ceremony celebrates the hard work of JMG students over the past school year. The seniors recognized were Maddison Bouchard, Skylar Cabezal, Isabella Dale, Wyatt Flinkstrom, Caitlyn Goode, Zachary Jason, Connor Kingsbury, Emily Knight, Rylee Marr, Eric Norwald, Chloe Phinney, Mollie Poyner, Valerie Randall, William Reed, and Reese Turner.

JMG Closing Ceremony

Sanford School Department

May 23, 2024

The accomplishments of Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) students at Sanford High School and SRTC took center stage at the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, May 21. Friends, family members, teachers, and school administrators gathered to honor the hard work and successes of the JMG program participants during the annual Closing Ceremony.

The event opened with welcoming statements from JMG Specialist Chery Gifford, who oversees the program.

Throughout the ceremony, multi-year JMG students were recognized with certificates honoring their participation and achievements in the program over multiple years. The graduating seniors in the JMG program were also given special recognition as they get ready to transition to life after high school.

A highlight of the event was a slideshow video created by Alissa Letourneau that recapped highlights and memorable moments from the JMG program throughout the school year. All grade levels of JMG participants were honored during the celebratory ceremony.

"The closing ceremony is such a great event to showcase the students' year in JMG," said Cheryl Gifford, a JMG Specialist. "The ceremony is student-run, giving them a chance to demonstrate leadership and celebrate their efforts in community service and career research."

Gifford also highlighted juniors and seniors who have completed their Career Exploration Badge. The badge is an opportunity to participate in 40 hours of meaningful work experiences facilitated through a designed exploration and reflection process. 

SHS and SRTC students had to complete these hours of hands-on employer engagement experiences and online modules utilizing JMG's management system. Students had to document their employer experience. Upon completion, students received an academic award of up to $500. 

Over the past two years, 178 SHS and SRTC students have completed their badge, totaling over $88,000 to the Sanford community.

The JMG program provides high school students with career preparation, leadership, and hands-on learning experiences to help them succeed after graduation. The annual closing ceremony celebrates the hard work of JMG students over the past school year.

The seniors recognized were Maddison Bouchard, Skylar Cabezal, Isabella Dale, Wyatt Flinkstrom, Caitlyn Goode, Zachary Jason, Connor Kingsbury, Emily Knight, Rylee Marr, Eric Norwald, Chloe Phinney, Mollie Poyner, Valerie Randall, William Reed, and Reese Turner.