Jobs for Virginia Graduates event gives college careers some ignition

A group of high school students with their sights set on college recently received $5,000 in scholarship funds to Radford University during an event by Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG).

JVG Ignite is a judged statewide competition that challenges students to demonstrate their innovation, knowledge and preparation. Those who advanced at the Feb. 12 contest, held on campus at Kyle Hall, will now represent the state at the Jobs for America’s Graduates’ National Career Development Conference (NCDC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, from April 30 through May 2.

Five local students won across three categories and were also given $1,000 each in Radford University scholarship funds:

• Career preparation – Lillian Wimmer from the Tazewell County Career and Technical Center (CTC)
• Prepared speaking – Gloria Danga of William Monroe High School (Greene County)
• Business plan – Claire Griffey, Morgan Hagerman and Ayden Whited from the Buchanan County Career, Technology and Higher Learning Center (CTHLC)

Those awards were presented after a day of competitive student presentations, delivered before a judging panel that included staff from Radford University, Montgomery County and Salem city schools, Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia and the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board.

“Radford University has been a partner of Jobs for Virginia Graduates for the past few years,” Antonio Rice, JVG’s president and CEO, said at the event’s award ceremony. “We have a saying, if you can see it, you can become it. Radford University continues to empower and admit our students, and we are grateful for our partnership.

“We walk in lockstep together, in regard to doing what's in your best interest and helping you guys be the best people that you can possibly be.”

Rice thanked Davis College Dean Donna McCloskey, economics instructor Jennifer Elias and professors of management Dale Henderson and Andy Travers.  

“Radford University's relationship with JVG is just a great example of what faculty and the school as a whole can do when it is open and willing to develop relationships with like-minded people and organizations in our community," Travers said.

"Rather than seeing organizations like JVG and Junior Achievement as competitive threats in the education space, we have been able to capitalize on the unique strengths we bring to the table and make a broader impact. It has been great to get to know the JVG leadership and work with them to support our youth."

Nathan King, a freshman from Salem, Virginia, who served as the 2024-2025 Jobs for America’s Graduates Career Association (JAGCA) president, also spoke briefly at the meeting and said his experience within the group had allowed him to travel to last year’s conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

“It was such a great blessing,” he said of the trip. “We got to do so much there and meet all these different people from across different states. It was just a good time.”

King also recalled how, during high school, he had not had a strong interest in college but, through JVG, met with Andy Travers, who answered a lot of his questions and concerns about the application and registration process and the school itself.

“As soon as I left that meeting, I was like, ‘I think I’m going to have to go to Radford.’ It’s been great, and I’ve loved being here ever since.”

JVG is a nonprofit organization that supports underserved students from across the state. Present in 60 schools across 43 Virginia school divisions, JVG ushers students toward high school graduation and gives them exposure to programs that promote career readiness and leadership development while also assisting them with their postsecondary transitions.