New JAG Program Teaches Essentials of Success to Rahway HS Students

RAHWAY, NJ — There is a new initiative at Rahway High School (RHS) this year called Jobs for America's Graduates, conveniently called JAG, run by the high school's business teacher, Leon Bunion.

The program is a student-centered initiative designed to prepare young people for success after graduation, whether they pursue higher education, vocational training, or enter the workforce. Through hands-on learning, leadership development, and career readiness activities, students build essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and time management. The program focuses on project-based learning, trauma-informed care, and employer engagement to equip students with the tools they need to reach their personal and professional goals.

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Thus far, Bunion reports a strong opening month for the program. Just in the first two weeks of school, students attended three college, career, and leadership events.

On September 11, the JAG students visited Kean University for the New York Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Classic Education Day College Fair, availing themselves of the opportunity to meet and talk with college representatives and admissions officers.

On September 14, the Rahway students had an unforgettable experience attending the Toyota HBCU NY Classic at MetLife Stadium. They even had the opportunity to attend the football game between Howard University and Morehouse College.

A bit closer to home, on September 18, the JAG program headed over to Plainfield High School for the Colgate-Palmolive Career Fair, where the students learned about career opportunities in fields such as marketing, IT, and human resources.

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All in all, it's been a busy and productive start to the school year for the program and its inaugural class of students.

Rahway senior Jabril Johnson has been impressed so far with the program and the accompanying events, remarking, "The college fair was a whole new experience for me, and it really helped me feel more confident about what I want to do in life. The HBCU Classic was more of a vibe, like a chance to learn about the culture too.  Overall, I felt like the three events taught us in a fun and active way and showed me how to be more professional."

Junior I-Yanah Evans agreed and said, “I personally have never been to a career fair before, so it was exciting to try something new, and I really enjoyed it.  The benefits of the career fair were, for us and many other students, the chance to network with others and see what opportunities are offered after high school.”

Finally, senior Jayden Ortega, echoing the sentiments of many of his classmates, said, “Reflecting on my experience this week, I can say it was both great and beneficial for me. I had the chance to meet new people, conduct interviews, and confidently put myself out there in a positive light.” RHS JAG specialist Leon Bunion added. “ The JAG program is a transformative experience for Rahway, offering students invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Recognizing the impact of the JAG network, we prioritized taking full advantage of its benefits from the start. Our goal was to hit the ground running by exposing students to educational and career opportunities that align with their career pathways. Through the program, students are developing into young professionals, stepping outside their comfort zones, and learning to network and create opportunities that will set them up for long-term success.” TAPinto Rahway will most certainly continue to follow the events and activities of the JAG program over the course of the year. Stay tuned! [Don’t miss any TAPinto Rahway news. Go to tapinto.net/enews to sign up for our free e-newsletter, delivered each morning to your inbox.]

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