WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsJunior Achievement Of Wisconsin-Committed To Kids
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By Melissa Langbehn
WAUSAU (WAOW)--In these challenging economic times, there's a renewed interest in financial education. Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization which teams up with businesses to help young people get ready for real world finances. In North Central Wisconsin, JA leaders say they are providing educational opportunities for over 10,000 students. D.C. Everest High School Marketing students hope to cash in their JA learning this holiday.They are participating in the Junior Achievement Company Program. According to Junior Achievement Senior Program Manager, Diane Stroik, "The students start a business, sell stock, buy product and sell it all in 13 weeks so they get a real feeling for what running a business is like."The student run business is called "Basketeers". Company President, Austin Foss adds, "We're calling our baskets "Frosty's Favorites" a cutesy name , that people will like."
Not only did think up a clever name.. they're getting creative with what goes into their products. Production Manager, Crystal Wood says, "Right now, we're getting shipments in and recording the products we're getting in.
What they're getting in is everything from candy canes to cocoa and cookie cutters. All of these supplies need to be assembled into something people will want and topped off with a bow. Then the students must find a place to sell their creations, get them sold and hopefully profit from their labors.
Austin Foss, says,"It's a great experience you learn alot and find the real responsibilities of it."
Responsibilities Marketing Teacher, Jodi Peterson says, can only be learned by living it, "It's an awesome hands on learning tool versus a textbook.
Junior Achievement runs K thru 12 programs designed to inspire young people to succeed in the global economy. A valuable lesson which hopefully will last a lifetime. Diane Stroik says," I don't think you can ever give a kid too much work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy."
Junior Achievement has been named the November recipient of the Committed To Kids honor. The project is co-sponsored by Newsline 9 and Ballweg Toyota.
For more information check out www.jawis.org
