Student Success Stories
Student Alumni Success ~ Nyle Obergfell
Student Success
Story - Reprint article of "Inspiring the Next Generation"
as published in Main
Street Montana)
Havre SUNS student: “My greatest high
school memory is meeting the Governor on my JMG trip to the Career Conference. I
had no idea that I was going to meet her. I achieved a 4.00 through
out my whole senior year and was president of my JMG class.”
Independent Record newspaper article on Helena High JMG student: The
(JMG) class opened up a world for her. Since starting in the program,
her grade point average jumped from 1.0 to 3.28. She is now on the
honor roll, but that isn’t all that has changed for her – she
now has a future. “It made me discover I had a talent I
didn’t know I had,” she said of her passion for public
speaking. “I really love this program. I see how it’s
helped my friends and helped me and it’s just unbelievable to me.”
JMG student’s letter to Job Specialist: “When
I read your letter, it almost made me cry. Having someone say that
they are proud of me means a lot. I can’t wait to visit with
you when I’m on leave, I will even have a picture for you.”
JMG student speech: “High school has been
rough on me. I had no idea where I was going in life and I really
didn’t care. I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. I
started drinking because I wanted to fit in. The drinking let to
other things like marijuana. It made me feel good. I started
going to school high. My grades started dropping and I didn’t
want to be at school anymore. The more I started drinking, the
more depressed I became, and I want to die. I felt there was no
reason to live anymore. But then I started talking to the school
counselor and another teacher. They both know I was better than
that. I joined Jobs for Montana’s Graduates at the urging
of a student who was in the program last year. She saw some of herself
in me and knew I wanted to do better.”
“I didn’t really know what the class was all about but
I knew one thing, it would help me in the future. I’ve already
set goals for myself. One goal I have for myself is to graduate
from high school. For the last three generations, no girls in my
family have graduated from high school. My long-term goals are
to graduate from college and become an elementary teacher. No one
has ever gone to college in my family. I want to achieve something
in life and setting goals is the first step. JMG has taught me that.”
Ernie Flynn nomination for JAG 20th Year Celebration: Ernie
participated in the Jobs for Montana’s Graduates program and graduated
from Capital High School. Upon graduation, he went to the University
of Montana-Missoula where he worked as a Research Assistant at the School
of Pharmacy. Ernie worked as an administrative assistant with the
Disabled American Veterans where he also attended Montana State University-Billings
earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Following graduation, Ernie
worked with emotionally disturbed children. In 1998, he accepted
a position with Crown Bolt as a merchandiser. He is married and has
a son.”
Parental Support
JMG Parent: “My husband and I feel such strong support
for the program. We are so pleased that our daughter had the opportunity
to be involved in the program. Before entering JMG, she was a scared
little girl with lots of positive attributes but no confidence. Now
she is a confident young lady with a “take charge” attitude. It
is our belief that every high school student would benefit from the wonderful
skills and support that the program provides. We thank you, JMG
and all of the other wonderful people who believe in our young people.”
