Rahway JAG Makes History at National Career Development Conference

RAHWAY, NJ — The Rahway Public School District just announced the extraordinary achievements of its Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program at the 2026 JAG National Career Development Conference (NCDC), held in Salt Lake City, Utah. In just its second year of implementation, the Rahway JAG program has already made history on the national stage, delivering results that highlight the power and impact of this transformational program.Leading the way, Rahway’s JAG Promo Video Team of Madison Garcia, William Bahie, and Elyse Figueroa earned 1st place, becoming New Jersey’s first-ever national champions at NCDC. This milestone achievement not only brings national recognition to Rahway Public Schools but also sets a new standard of excellence for JAG programs across the state.Rahway students also demonstrated high-level performance across multiple competitive events. William Bahie earned a 7th place national finish in Financial Literacy, showcasing strong real-world financial knowledge and application. In the Creative Decision-Making event, the Rahway team of Justin Gibson, Jalissa Rayo-Celis, and Madison Garcia secured a top-10 finish, placing 10th in the nation against some of the best student teams in the country.In addition to competitive success, Rahway JAG was recognized with the National Service Project Merit Award for its impactful Unhoused Youth Service Project. This honor reflects the program’s commitment to developing students as leaders who not only prepare for their futures but also make a difference in their community.The JAG National Career Development Conference brings together thousands of students from across the country to compete, collaborate, and strengthen critical career readiness skills. Rahway’s performance stands out not only for its excellence but for its significance. These accomplishments come in just the program’s second year, signaling rapid growth, strong student engagement, and a clear return on investment.“Our students represented Rahway and New Jersey with pride, professionalism, and purpose,” said JAG Specialist Leon Bunion. “This is a direct reflection of what we do every day, real-world learning, leadership development, and building strong connections with employers and our community. When students are given the opportunity to lead, compete, and grow, this is the result.”Rahway JAG continues to demonstrate what is possible when education is intentionally aligned with workforce readiness and leadership development. As the program continues to expand, these national-level accomplishments are just the beginning of what Rahway students will achieve.The Rahway Public School District extends its congratulations to all students who competed and represented the district on the national stage. Their success is a powerful example of what can happen when preparation meets opportunity.[Don’t miss any TAPinto Rahway news. Go to tapinto.net/enews to sign up for our free e-newsletter, delivered each morning to your inbox.]