A total of 457 JAG-Missouri students from across the state converged on Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., on March 4-5 for the annual State Career Development Conference (CDC).

Throughout the event, students showcased their skills in a variety of individual and team competitions. In addition to the contests, attendees participated in breakout sessions, networking events, Capitol tours and team-building activities—all designed to inspire leadership, career readiness and personal growth.

Our 2026 State Career Development Conference set record attendance for JAG-Missouri! Joining our 457 competitors were 77 specialists, 23 chaperones, 25 competition judges, 10 alumni, 10 staff members and 15 Expo partners.

Listed below are the top three finishers in each CDC event. Finalists from these competitions will advance to represent JAG-Missouri at the Jobs for America’s Graduates National Career Development Conference, taking place in late April in Salt Lake City.

Employability Skills

• First: Damien Gunter, Brookfield Alternative
• Second: Carson Atwood, Mount Vernon
• Third: Serenity Aldridge, Lebanon

Career Preparation

• First: Josiebelle Jones, North County
• Second: Reagan Frazier, Marshfield
• Third: Jodi Blaker, Brookfield

Prepared Speaking

• First: Emma Noonan, Versailles
• Second: Waylon Mease, Crane
• Third: Courtney Patterson, Purdy

Business Plan

• First: Versailles, Hezekiah Turner, Domunik Harper-O’Bryan, Cali Alpert, Dakota Moore
• Second: Aurora, Jolea Rouner, Joselyn Tellez-Tinajero
• Third: Bolivar, Granton Bayless, Isabella Swihart, Avery Hofstetter, Jacob Booth

L.O.V.E. Project 

• First: Dora, Jamie Hall, Chelsea Richards, Emma Shaw, Parker Helton

Promo Video

• First: Vashon, Tyler Eddington, Eugene Alexander, Jaylen Adams, Deandrea Hemphill

Project-Based Learning

• First: Bolivar, Isabella Swihart, Jocelyn Norton, Brodie Bugere
• Second: Joplin, Logan Friend, Kaori Gallen, Michaela Nelson, Emma Wilson
• Third: McDonald County, Corah McAffrey, Kaylee Pippin, Ayleen Bautista, Axeton Bateman

Financial Literacy

• First: Isabella Crawford, Skyline
• Second: Helen Waller, North Callaway
• Third: Noah Siebert, Campbell

Financial Budget

• First: Kanyon Singleton, Brookfield
• Second: Nathan Webb, Macon
• Third: Hydee Pyle, Hillcrest

Knowledge Bowl

• First: Skyline, Elaina Edge, Isabella Puckett, Isabella Crawford, John Marker
• Second: Aurora, Alan Gonzalez-Flores, Creed Kloss, Rayden Kay, Sabra Spooner
• Third: South Pemiscot, Brandon Kellems, Adam Harless, Isaac Palacios, Helania Johns

Creative Decision Making

• First: Portageville, Maddyx Morgan, Katie Staples, Aubrey Hunter, Kierstin Blackburn
• Second: Hillcrest, Harrison Parkin, Jayden Brown, Rosley Figueroa, Ella Safley
• Third: Brookfield Alternative, Gage Hall-Wells, Lillian Willis, Francis Jones

Outstanding Chapter

• First: Aurora
• Second: Horizons
• Third: Dora

Also recognized at the CDC were winners of the pre-conference events and the Paul Kincaid Scholarship recipients. These finalists and recipients will not be advancing to a national competition. 

Paul Kincaid Scholarship Recipients

• Emilieann Peavler - Macon
• Loretta Ann Bartkoski - Holden
• Tierra Mitchell - Dora

T-Shirt Design

• First: Haley Hasameier, North County
• Second: Ayleen Bautista, McDonald County
• Third: Ayleen Bautista, McDonald County

Program Cover

• First: Tyler Eddington, Vashon
• Second: Ace Green, Mt. Vernon
• Third: Tim Frazier, Charleston

Poetry Spoken Word

• First: Brayden Zych, Puxico
• Second: Ayla Frunzi, West Plains
• Third: Clara Johannes, Aurora