Getting a good start on education, finance and success is something that can never happen too early in life. That’s why we are happy to support Junior Achievement, an organization that is “dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.”
The initial concept for Junior Achievement was born in 1916 at a gathering for the “general advancement of activities for boys and girls.” It was not called Junior Achievement until 1920, under the name “Junior Achievement Bureau.” Today, the organization hosts programs for students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The programs are designed to help encourage decision making, information analysis, team work, work ethic, math, listening and communication. These skills, among others, are ones that students will find valuable throughout their entire lives and will hopefully be put toward making responsible choices (both fiscal and personal).
At each school level, Junior Achievement has the following series of programs:

  • Elementary School: Ourselves; Our Families; Our Community; Our City; Our Region; Our Nation; JA BizTown; JA $ave, USA
  • Middle School: JA America Works; JA Economics for Success; JA Global Marketplace; JA Finance Park; JA $Save, USA; JA It’s My Business; JA Job Shadow
  • High School: JA Banks in Action; JA Be Entrepreneurial; JA Business Ethics; JA Careers with a Purpose; JA Company Program; JA Economics; JA Exploring Economics; JA Success Skills; JA Titan; JA Personal Finance; JA Job Shadow; JA $ave, USA

Junior Achievement is active here in mid-Missouri. It launched at Russell Elementary School in November 2010 and incorporates the Columbia Public Schools. The organization’s programs are helping Columbia students learn financial roles and responsibility, good judgment and a work ethic to help them throughout the rest of their lives.
The Callaway Bank is a local sponsor of Junior Achievement. Since its introduction in November 2010, we have participated in the official launch of JA at Russell Boulevard Elementary School. Boone County Market President Gary Meyerpeter presented a check to Principal Dr. Ed Schumacher to help fund the fifth graders’ trip to Junior Achievement’s JA Biztown in St. Louis this past spring. Also, The Callaway Kids Bank Board of Directors has volunteered in St. Louis three different times to help teach kids these valuable financial skills that will better prepare them to be in a position to choose the lifestyle they want for themselves and their families someday rather than having to “settle.”

The Junior Achievement Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, November 2010

Do your children participate in Junior Achievement programs?