Edwards Awarded JMG Conference Scholarship

Glasgow High School junior Harley Edwards was one of four students throughout the state who was recognized for his essay on leadership development during the state’s annual Jobs for Montana’s Graduates (JMG) Lead Montana Conference in Helena on Oct. 28. This conference is held in the hopes of preparing students for the workforce. Edwards, along with the other winners Anna Williams, of Scobey; Destiny Cheuvront, of Plains; and Ava Metcalfe, of Whitefish, received the opportunity to attend the Jobs for America’s Graduates National Student Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C., in December.

“I started crying when I found out!” exclaimed Edwards. “I had to write an essay on what it takes to be a good leader. When I started thinking about a good leader and role model, Mrs. Page immediately came to mind. She has helped me through lots of things in my life.” Edwards will be leaving Nov. 29 after school and get back on Dec . The agenda for the trip includes attending three different conferences, going on a twilight tour to see the national monuments at night, lay wreaths at the gravestones, among other fun things. “This will be the farthest I’ll be from home and my first time on a plane. I’m definitely nervous!” stated Edwards. Thankfully, Edwards is able to take a familiar face as Mrs. Page also gets to go on this trip as well. In addition to being the focus of Edwards’ essay, Mrs. Page is also the advisor of Glasgow High School’s JMG class.

JMG is a Department of Labor and Industry program dedicated to teaching students the skills they need for college and career readiness. In 1990, the Montana Legislature provided funding for JMG to undertake the mission of assisting students to stay in school, graduate and successfully transition from school into employment, post-secondary education, apprenticeship or the military. Today, JMG is a program funded by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) with the main purpose of preparing middle and high school students for the workforce.

JMG actively promotes student success by connecting students with local employers and teaching them workplace professional skills, leadership skills, and career readiness. JMG assists in empowering and mobilizing students to stay in school, graduate and be ready to enter the workforce as capable adults.

This is Edwards’ second year in JMG and he encourages middle school students to also be a part of this extra-curricular course. “There is a unit on interviews, which will really help when you reach employment age. It definitely helped me get my current job,” explained Edwards.

In addition to JMG, Edwards is involved in Art Club and Speech and Drama. When he graduates from high school, the current goal is to become a forester/park ranger and he is currently researching various types of degree options to reach that goal. “I recently went to Washington and being around the forest really brought me happiness so I’m wanting a career that can bring me that happiness,” Edwards explained. His self-admitted back-up goal is to be obtain a graphic design or arts degree in order to design prosthetics.

“I see a lot of people who make prosthetics online, and I’m following someone right now who is making them for veterans at a cheap cost. If I could do something like that for someone else, that would be cool,” stated Edwards.