Natchitoches Junior High School’s Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program is celebrating a major student achievement after placing fourth in the state during the Middle School Creative Decision Making Competition at the recent JAG Student Development Conference.
The competition included 14 middle schools from across Louisiana, making the top-four finish a notable accomplishment. School officials said the achievement is especially impressive given that the NJH team was composed entirely of seventh-grade students participating in the JAG program for the first time.
Team members Peyton Holloway, Sicily Johnson, Andre Taylor, and Edahlia Payne demonstrated strong teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills as they analyzed a real-world scenario and presented their proposed solutions to judges.
The Creative Decision Making competition challenges students to collaborate under pressure while showcasing leadership, communication, and strategic thinking — core skills emphasized throughout the JAG program.
The JAG program focuses on preparing students for success beyond the classroom by promoting leadership development, career readiness, and civic responsibility. NJH’s strong statewide showing reflects the school’s commitment to building confident, capable student leaders at an early age.
