Two Starkville High School seniorswere recognized at the 2018 Jobs for Mississippi Graduates with awards at the state JMG competition in Jackson last month.
JMG Vice President Treasure Frazierreceived third place in a new category called “project-based learning,” and Quiteneisha Gaines was honored with the Chairman’s Award.
Frazier said her project was a plan for a hair salon focusing on people who had suffered hair loss through cancer, alopecia, burns or other ailments. To hypothetically fund the concept, Frazier and SHS JMG instructor Debbie Thomas reached out to renowned Golden Triangle athletes Dak Prescott, Jerry Rice and Travis Outlaw, all of whom said they would consider backing such an initiative, should they receive a proposal.
“Cancer runs in my family, so I know firsthand,” Frazier said. “I see the toll it takes on the body, the hair loss, the weight loss, and I see how the self esteem is brought down, because they feel like an outsider. They suffer from being looked at and judged."
Frazier said the project took research on victims who had been through traumatic experiences.
At the competition, Frazier took third place out of 60 schools.
“I was actually very nervous at first,” Frazier said. “I really wanted to give up, but once they started giving out awards, and I heard my name, my heart was pounding. I was so excited.”
Frazier plans to attend East Mississippi Community College initially, and may work to bring her project to fruition after completing her degree.
Gaines, who is considering a career as an emergency medical technician, described her award, which goes to the student in the JMG district who teachers feel improved the most through the school year.
“When I first came to JMG, I had no idea what I wanted to do before I graduated, but now I think I know,” Gaines said.
Gaines said the program had also boosted her courage and self-confidence.
“You can always, get what you want, do what you want when you work toward it,” Gaines said.
JMG is the state arm of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program. The program focuses on guiding at-risk and disadvantaged youth down a path toward a successful future be it in the workforce, military or higher education