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New Research Shows Teens are Re-Thinking the Future of Work
Blog from JA USA
By Kelsey Matzinger
Work Readiness
In today's world, teens are increasingly exploring alternatives to the traditional higher education route. That’s why Junior Achievement and Citizens conducted a study to gain insight into where teens' thoughts are when it comes to the cost of higher...
Meet the Laureates: Sid Ruckriegel
By Sally Eastman
Corporate Responsibility
Sid Ruckriegel was born and raised in Jasper, Indiana. The son of Robert and Lovella Ruckriegel, Sid has one brother, Al. His dad, a meat cutter, and his mother, a bookkeeper, in 1964 started a 24 coffee shop. This endeavor would eventually grow to be recognized...
Meet the Laureates: Randall Schrock
By Sally Eastman
Corporate Responsibility
Randall Schrock was born in Peoria, Illinois and is lifelong resident of Morton, Illinois. His education began at Morton grade schools before moving on to Morton High School graduating in the year...
Meet the Laureates: Jeff Bogdan
By Sally Eastman
Corporate Responsibility
Jeff Bogdan is a first-generation American citizen whose parents immigrated from Poland in the late 1950’s. While he was born in Harvey, Illinois, Jeff spent his upbringing in Gary, Indiana where he attended Calumet High School. Aside from his studies, he played football and baseball, and was a 4-year letterman - serving as team captain and awarded most valuable...
Meet the Laureates: Doug Stewart
By Sally Eastman
Community Involvement
Doug Stewart grew up in Cullom, Illinois, a small central Illinois town with a population of 500. He believes the combination of Midwestern values and strong parental guidance has served him well throughout life. While in high school, Doug met his future wife, Vicky, and after graduation from college they married. In January 2023, they celebrated their 50th wedding...
JA My Story | Zach Fleming
Blog from JA USA
By Ed Grocholski
Community Involvement
Not every student plans to go to college and finds JA valuable in introducing young people to careers that don’t require a degree, such as in the skilled trades, as well as occupations students can pursue straight out of high school. Volunteers often share their career journeys with students, making JA even more...
JA Worldwide Nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize
Blog from JA USA
By Ed Grocholski
Community Involvement
We’re proud to announce that JA Worldwide has been nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the second such honor in two years. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA...
Be A Game Changer
Blog from JA USA
By Kelsey Matzinger
Community Involvement
Volunteers are the game-changer! They are the player that ignites those around them to do better and be better. They are the player that changes the “on court” or “on field” energy that’s a spark plug and leads the team to victory. They are the ones that young people...
The JA EFFECT – Widening Horizons
Blog from JA USA
By Kelsey Matzinger
Work Readiness
When she was a child, Socheth McCutcheon’s family escaped Cambodia, which was under the control of the Khmer Rouge, in search of a better life in the United States. Socheth’s family settled in Revere, Massachusetts, near Boston. Socheth now serves as a volunteer for Junior Achievement in New Jersey. She feels it is important to “pay it forward” by being a role model for young people, especially...
Why JA? And Why Now? Financial Literacy as a Foundation for a Better Life
Blog from JA USA
By Ed Grocholski
Financial Literacy
At Junior Achievement, we view financial literacy as “the other literacy.” Just like reading or writing, we all deal with money on a near daily basis. Junior Achievement employs a pathways approach to teaching financial literacy to young people. By “pathways,” we mean that JA programs are designed to engage students on the subject over multiple grades, from their first days in kindergarten,...
