iJAG Cookie Walk brings sweet support to solid PHS program

December 10, 2016

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ijag-2016 — Running the cookie sales at last year's iJAG Cookie Walk at PHS were, from left, PHS Class of 2016 graduate Pedro Funez, iJAG teacher Tina Lutterman, PHS sophomore Jaky Castaneda, iJAG teacher Krista Fisher, sophomore Carly Anderson, sophomore Kat Munoz and junior Indeliza Zepeda. Sophomore Libni Funez was not pictured.

Saturday’s fourth annual Perry High School Cookie Walk and iJAG Awareness Day again brought holiday sweets to local cookie lovers, with more than two dozen kinds of cookies and candies offered at $10 a pound.

The event also showcased the PHS iJAG program, administered by Tina Kenney and Krista Fisher.

“All our cookies are homemade by the iJAG students and staff,” Kenney said, “plus lots of volunteers from the community donate batches, which we really appreciate.

The statewide iJAG program, run by a private nonprofit corporation established in 1999, is part of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) network. The PHS iJAG program was started in 2012.

The PHS Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (iJAG) goals include a 100 percent graduation rate from PHS, increased student participation in school and the community, greater students awareness of opportunities after high school in college, careers and the military and developing students' leadership, problem-solving and communications skills. — The PHS Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) goals include a 100 percent graduation rate from PHS, increased student participation in school and the community, greater students awareness of opportunities after high school in college, careers and the military and developing students’ leadership, problem-solving and communications skills.

“This is a fun way to introduce people to a program that does a lot of good at PHS,” Fisher said.

Iowa’s iJAG program began as a school-to-work program for high school seniors and now annually serves more than 2,000 students in 33 schools across 17 communities in Iowa and Illinois.

The iJAG program has mentored more than 11,000 students at the highest risk of disengaging from school or dropping out of school, empowering them with the skills and motivation needed to finish high school, succeed in higher education and excel in the workforce.

All proceeds from Saturday’s Cookie Walk help support service projects and class activities for students taking iJAG classes at PHS.

For more information about iJAG, call Fisher or Kenney at 515-465-3503