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Bullock Selects GHS Senior for Leadership Conference in D.C.

GHS senior Alexandra "Lexie" Pehlke got quite a surprise while in Helena at the Jobs for Montana's Graduates (JMG) 25th annual LEAD conference on Oct. 30. She was one of four students selected by Governor Steve Bullock to receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., and participate in the National Student Leadership Academy, for her commitment to academic excellence and leadership development. As a result of being chosen, she, along with JMG's advisor, Jill Page, will be traveling to Washington, D.C., Nov. 14 through the 18, with the other three Montana students who were selected as well as four students from every state who were recognized. Students will be attending leadership workshops, competing in competitions as well as taking in the sights with tours.

"I was super surprised when I found out I was selected. Afterwards, I found out that everyone else knew, including my parents, teachers and fellow JMG classmates. I can't believe everyone was able to keep it a secret!" said Pehlke. After arriving in D.C., Pehlke will be competing in the public speaking competition, where the topic is "What Jobs For American Graduates Mean For Me?" "I haven't started my speech yet, with being busy as a senior, staying caught up with schoolwork, traveling to Cut Bank for volleyball divisionals and now preparing to leave for D.C.," admitted Pehlke. But she is hopeful the speech will all come together with enough time to practice and succeed at the competition.

"JMG has really made me get outside of my comfort zone. I have learned so many new things about introducing myself to other people and making the good first impression," said Pehlke. Her peers and classmates see how much Pehlke has branched out in the three years of being in JMG that they selected her as President for the year. Besides being recognized by her peers, classmates and Governor Bullock, Pehlke has also been recognized for her hard work in the JMG competitions in Billings, which occur in the spring. During her first year of JMG, she was awarded the Chairman of Recognition Award during the Billings competition, took third place in website design, and second place for her poster. Last year, she took second place in web design, "I hope to get first place this year," stated Pehlke.

According to advisor Jill Page, JMG is a career prep class at GHS which covers soft skills, communication, budgeting, social and civic skills as well as employability. Students work on certain skills all year and then compete in Billings in various employability competitions including presentation, speech, math, decision making, critical thinking and interviewing. "Last year those students who competed did really well so we are excited for this year's competition," said Page.

Jobs for Montana's Graduates is a Department of Labor and Industry program, dedicated to teaching students the skills they need for college or career readiness hosts the Helena conference every year. Students meet with public and private business leaders and expand leadership skills. This year over 250 students from 34 different Montana schools participated.

 

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