Students from four Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) programs in the Sioux Falls School District gathered for the third annual JAG Leadership Forum to hear from community and civic leaders and practice career-readiness skills, organizers and student leaders said.

The forum brought together more than 100 students and roughly 20 panelists representing local government, business and community organizations. Unidentified Speaker 1, who introduced the event, said the Roosevelt program has run for five years while the other schools' JAG programs have existed for four years and that the forum has grown from an inaugural classroom session to a multi-panel event.

Students said the forum emphasizes networking and practical job skills. "I am just recently elected as a state parliamentarian for JAIC, South Dakota, where I represent JAIC, South Dakota at the state level," said Unidentified Speaker 2, a student participant, describing their role and plans to attend national events. The student also recounted meeting community figures and learning to prepare questions in advance when engaging professionals.

Panelists included local civic officials and community leaders; Unidentified Speaker 1 said the civic engagement panel featured the mayor, a city councilman, a state representative and a school board member. Other panels included local business leaders and community outreach organizers, as well as a teacher who is active on social media. Unidentified Speaker 1 said the mayor had also participated in the forum's inaugural year.

Students and organizers described concrete skill-building activities at the forum: resume and cover-letter workshops, mock interviews and breakout discussions about confidence and professionalism. Reflecting on a breakout session, Unidentified Speaker 2 quoted a presenter named Harriet: "Walk into a room like you own it and walk out of the room like you sold it," and said students were encouraged to carry that confidence into interviews and new situations.

Organizers said students had prepared for weeks by researching panelists' backgrounds and formulating questions to dig into career pathways and professional experiences. Unidentified Speaker 1 said the event invited Jefferson to participate in early years and has since expanded to include all four school programs in the district.

The forum is part of the district's JAG offerings, which aim to give high school students leadership development and career exploration opportunities. "Join JAG. Such a great opportunity," Unidentified Speaker 2 said, urging peers to consider the program. Organizers said they hope to continue expanding participation and panel offerings in future years.