Students participating in the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program through the West Michigan Works! Ascend program were recognized for leadership, career readiness and workforce development skills during Youth Solutions’ statewide Career Development Conference on April 30 at Saginaw Valley State University. Among the award winners is Muskegon County’s Iyanni Shyne, who was named one of only two statewide JMG Youth of the Year honorees in Michigan.
The annual conference brought together 170 students and 27 adults from across Michigan participating in the JMG program to compete in 52 career-focused individual and team events designed to strengthen skills such as interviewing, communication, problem-solving and teamwork. The conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing competition winners as well as statewide Youth and Alumni of the Year, Exemplary Youth of the Year recipients and Notable Alumni honorees. Students were nominated by their JMG specialists for leadership, achievement and dedication to personal growth.
Iyanni Shyne of Muskegon County was named a statewide JMG Youth of the Year, one of only two participants across Michigan to receive the prestigious recognition. The award honors active JMG participants who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the program and their personal goals.
After graduating high school without a clear direction for her future, Iyanni Shyne connected with the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program through West Michigan Works! in Muskegon, an opportunity that helped transform her confidence, career goals and leadership skills. Through JMG, she discovered an interest in marketing during a summer work experience focused on digital engagement and website development, which inspired her to enroll at Muskegon Community College as a first-generation college student pursuing a marketing degree. Now a Dean’s List student, Iyanni has also stepped into leadership roles within JMG, helping plan events, create marketing materials and mentor peers. Once hesitant to speak publicly or try new things, she now confidently leads meetings and presentations while working toward her goal of becoming a digital marketing manager.
“I was someone who felt lost, unworthy and lonely, but through finding hope and community in JMG, I was able to realize that I am worthy and that I’m not alone,” Shyne said. “This award is bigger than me. It represents how important this program is in so many of our communities and the support it provides to young people trying to find their path.”
Skye Hess of the Allegan County Service Center was recognized as a JMG Exemplary Youth of the Year, an honor awarded to 10 outstanding participants – one from each of Michigan’s Prosperity Regions. The West Michigan Prosperity Alliance includes Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Ottawa counties.
After facing significant personal and financial hardships during high school, including the loss of her grandmother and her mother’s job, Hess decided to pursue her GED with support from the JMG program and career coaches at West Michigan Works! Allegan County Service Center. Through mentorship and career development guidance, she completed her GED, discovered a passion for education and enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College with plans to become a high school teacher. While balancing work and continued involvement with JMG, Hess was recognized for her resilience, leadership and commitment to building a brighter future.
“I really hadn’t realized how much I had accomplished in the past year. My career coach brought it into perspective, stating that many people only accomplish one of those events in a year,” said Hess. “The Ascend program and JMG, helped me have purpose and gave me a list of goals I now know I can accomplish.”
Additional West Michigan students received JMG Excellence in Youth Leadership awards, recognizing participants who demonstrate strong commitment to the program and their educational and career goals. Recipients included:
- Aiden Playter, Montcalm County Service Center
- Alex Dominguez, Ottawa County Service Center
- Ja’Niya Morgan-Smith, Kent County Service Center
- Jacey Darrow, Ionia County Service Center
- Michaela Godbey, Barry County Service Center
“Winning this award feels like proof that hard work, growth and leading by example matter,” said Playter. “JMG has helped me build confidence, focus on my goals and prepare for my future. I’m grateful for the recognition and it motivates me to keep improving and helping others do the same.”
Darrow said her experience through Ascend and JMG also helped her build confidence and gain direction for her future.
“Without the Ascend program and the opportunity I had to gain work experience over the summer, I don’t think I would have been hired at my current job,” said Darrow. “I’m kind of a closed-off person and Ascend gave me time to get comfortable at the job and gain some confidence. Working with my career coach Erin has helped me focus on my future goals. We are working on applying for FAFSA and applying to Montcalm Community College so I can start taking classes in the fall. I feel motivated to work toward my goal of becoming a Vet Tech.”
West Michigan Works! leaders said stories like these reflect the broader impact JMG has on young people across the region.
“We are committed to helping young people build confidence, develop career readiness skills and connect to meaningful educational and employment opportunities,” said Chad Patton, Director of Development and Innovation, West Michigan Works!. “Watching these young people step outside their comfort zones and earn recognition at the state level is incredibly rewarding.”
JMG is the flagship program of Youth Solutions, a nonprofit organization focused on ensuring every young person in Michigan has access to career-connected learning opportunities and graduates with a plan for postsecondary success.
The Career Development Conference was made possible with support from Saginaw Valley State University, the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
