Ayana Bruguier, senior JAG member of Wagner Community School was challenged by JAG Specialist, Renee Van Der Werff, to put together a project. A project that would benefit many people. She chose to do a project for her peers because she felt that this year has been hard on many people, especially when it comes to mental health and not being motivated to get things done. Ayana felt that bringing in a motivational speaker would be a way to encourage her peers. Her goal for her project was to impact at least one person, if one person was to be impacted by the speaker, then she would feel she accomplished with what she set out to do. After hearing all the stories and comments from her peers about how the speaker impacted them, made her heart feel overjoyed.

Ayana arranged for Robert Jones to come the Wagner High School to speak on Friday February 19th. His speaker name is Bobby Jones, and his rapper name is Bobby Bugatti. Bobby originally lived in Yankton, which is where his story all began. He currently resides in Casper, Wyoming. Before Bobby became a speaker, he was a Division I football player for Michigan State University. Ayana had heard him speak a few years ago and noticed that he had a unique message and that he had a heart for the youth. So, when the opportunity arose to have Bobby come to Wagner and speak, she worked hard to make it a reality. Already knowing his story and knowing her peers here at Wagner Community School, she knew many people in the high school would be able to relate. Ayana felt everyone just needed some light in their lives, especially now.

Bobby Jones’ topic was about how he found himself spiraling down into addiction, depression, and his journey on how he dragged himself out of that dark place. He talked about the choices you make now can affect you and your goals later in life. He also talked about ways to take control over your life and not let life take control over you. Bobby told the students how to conquer the pain you are feeling whether that be from something recent that has happened in your life or something from the past that has happened to you, so it does not lead you down a life of destruction. He gave the students tools they need to rise above the challenges that students face in and outside of the classroom.

Ayana Bruguier has been part of the JAG program for four years at Wagner Community School. She credits it for helping her with the basic skills that are needed to go out into the real world, such as writing a resume, cover letter, applying for jobs, college, scholarships and much more. Not only has JAG helped Ayana in school, JAG has also helped her with life and has given her a safe place. JAG has given her another family that she can go to when she needs help whether it’s something with school or even challenges that life throws at her. It has given her many opportunities and has helped her grow as a person. JAG has shown her how to be a leader and how to lead with kindness. Ayana felt that because of JAG, she is able to see people that not everyone else sees. Those people are the reason she chose her project the way she did. Ayana stated, “I am not perfect, but JAG has sure helped shape me into a better person.”