JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - It was a banner week for the H.D. Karns Alternative School and Junction City High School Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) programs at the Region 2 Career Development Conference They qualified a total of 14 students for the 2026 JAG-K State Career Development Conference in March.“While the awards and titles reflect excellence, I think the true victory lies in the students’ character and commitment. Students dedicated countless hours of preparation by arriving before school, staying late after classes, refining presentations, and sharpening their skills," said James Denton, JAG-K Specialist.
As a team, the two JCHS programs tied for first overall, which marked the first time in school history that both programs were able to claim championship honors at regionals. By winning the regional title, the Blue Jays have now won three-straight regional championships. In all, the high school had 11 students earn first-place accolades.
Other highlights included junior Alani Burks being named the Region 2 president, which marks the fourth consecutive year a Junction City JAG-K student has held the Region 2 presidency as Laila Horton (2023-24), Noah Maldonado (2024-25) and Jaden Exantus (2025-26) previously held the role.K program. By placing at regionals, students will now have a chance to qualify for nationals as the top two placers at the state conference in each division will represent USD 475 in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 30 through May 2.