Nearly 175 high school students from Indiana competed in 11 categories at the 12th annual Jobs for America’s Graduates Career Development Conference on May 8.

Tiara Edwards of Brownstown Central High School finished second in the employability skills category.

Originally scheduled in March, the conference was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and conducted virtually at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis. Administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, JAG is a state-based national nonprofit organization that assists high school students with earning their diploma.

The event allows JAG students to show off their talents and compete for financial prizes. This year, regional winners were challenged to compete virtually and send their efforts in for judging.

DWD Commissioner Fred Payne, Associate Chief of Workforce Programs Leslie Crist and Director of Youth Initiatives Brianna Morse presented awards, which were broadcast on Facebook Live.

Hadley Sheffer, a senior from Princeton Community High School, took home the 2020 Outstanding Senior award, the most prestigious award, honoring the student that extols the virtues of JAG and commits to doing so in the future.

New this year was the College Success Program competition, which featured JAG Indiana students from Vincennes University and Ivy Tech Community College campuses in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.