Southwest Michigan students earned a long list of honors at the statewide Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Career Development Conference held recently at Saginaw Valley State University.
The annual event brings together students from around Michigan involved in the JMG program, which focuses on career readiness, leadership and workforce development through Michigan Works and partner agencies.
More than 30 students from Benton Harbor High School, Hartford High School, The Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan and the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor attended the conference, competing in team and individual events highlighting interview skills, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.
Students from Berrien Springs Middle School, Covert, Eau Claire and Watervliet also were recognized for achievements during the year.
Among the top local honors, Yuridia Ramirez Manzano of Eau Claire High School was named the 2026 Southwest Michigan Exemplary Youth of the Year.
Other area students receiving leadership and achievement awards included:
- Alexis Webster and Falcon Shaw, Berrien Springs Middle School
- Arely Rodriguez, Covert High School
- Jaida Dykstra, Bridge Academy of Greater Southwest Michigan
- Jenna Ritter, Watervliet High School
- Lily Goodson, Hartford High School
- Samyah Crenshaw, Benton Harbor High School
Southwest Michigan students also placed in several statewide competitions:
- Benton Harbor High School students Elisha Guidry, Emonee Page, Miracle Green and Nevaeh Williams earned second place in the JMG Bowl competition.
- Benji Lei-Sam and Dustin West of Berrien Springs Middle School took third place in the JMG Spotlight Video competition.
- Hartford High School students Az’hani Simon Dixon and Jamilette Vinaja captured first place in the JMG Influencer social media competition.
- Benton Harbor High School students DeAria Evans, Ja’Byrion Broyles, K’mariyea Campbell and Terrionna Cotton earned second place in Product Design.
- Savannah Bates of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan finished second in Prep to Impress mock interviews, while Benton Harbor’s Ai’ Janiya Gray placed third.
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is the flagship program of Youth Solutions, a statewide organization focused on helping students develop career skills and postsecondary plans.
Headline photo: Yuridia Ramirez Manzano of Eau Claire High School
