Please join us in extending congratulations to Onyango Pearl, who took home top honors at the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Leadership Competition. Onyango won first place in the Public Speaking event.

Onyango struck an emotional chord with the judges and audience as he detailed how the Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) program has changed his life. He spoke passionately when describing how the program helped him deal with personal issues, assisted him in developing goals, taught him employability skills, and connected him with a Career Coach (Michelle Mauck) who both pushed and inspired him to succeed.

Onyango took second place in the 2017 Youth Career Olympics Public Speaking event last April. With added instruction from volunteers and constant support from John Marshall Career Coach Michelle Mauck, Onyango spoke confidently and calmly as he addressed the JAG audience, making it all the way to the winner’s circle.

JAG is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at-risk. Youth Opportunities Unlimited provides the JOG program at high schools in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Lorain counties.