Dear JA Board Members, This month’s message is all about Wisconsin’s kids! Events over the next few months will showcase some of the brightest and most talented middle and high school students across the state and give them the opportunity to win cash prizes and scholarships. These events also give you an opportunity to see Junior Achievement programs and our mission in action -- empowering Wisconsin youth with the skills and opportunities to achieve their dreams!

Julie Granger | President Junior Achievement of Wisconsin 11111 W. Liberty Dr. | Milwaukee, WI. 53224 M: 414-788-4333 | O: 414-577-3810 jgranger@jawis.org

WOWs | Sharing Our Success

Brillion High School Student wins Young Entrepreneur Regional Competition Our Northeast Wisconsin JA team held the YE (Young Entrepreneur) Regional Competition on January 22nd. Kaylee Lamers, a 16-year-old sophomore at Brillion High School won the $2,500 first prize and another $500 for the Audience Choice award. Kaylee’s business, Stitches and Sweets, sells hand-made, one-of-a-kind sewn items. Learn More

Finalists Announced for Statewide Young Entrepreneur Competition Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, so you can watch the statewide Young Entrepreneur Competition. This year’s finalists are a group of phenomenal teen business owners.  Kaylee Lamers, owner of Stitches and Sweets, from Brillion High School in Brillion, WI  Truman McNitt, owner of Sugar Twist Trinkets, from Kohler Middle School in Kohler, WI  Shamit Surana, owner of Halokeys, from Franklin High School in Franklin, WI  John Vail, owner of Only Limits, from Cotter High School in Trempealeau, WI  Each finalist will present their business plan to our distinguished panel of celebrity judges: Jennifer Abele, VC 1414; Al Araque, Johnson Financial Group; Greg Marcus, The Marcus Corporation; and Denise Thomas, The Effective Communications Coach.  The winner of this year’s event will take home a $10,000 prize. Be sure to register at JA Young Entrepreneur Competition: Statewide | Junior Achievement of Wisconsin to watch this exciting competition and cast your vote for the Audience Choice Award. Learn More

February Marks the Start of JA Titan Season JA Titan Business Challenge is a scholarship competition that allows high school students to run a virtual company. In February, JA Titan Competitions will take place in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Stevens Point. Other JA areas will hold their regional competitions in March and April, culminating in the Wisconsin JA Titan Competition that brings regional winners to Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan to compete for statewide honors on May 2nd. Each JA area office needs community business leaders to be student mentors at regional events. Please share this opportunity with your professional networks – the business savvy and level of competition among the students is remarkable! Learn More

NOWs | Seeking Your Support

Bringing Financial Wellness to College Students Team members in our Eau Claire office have developed a new partnership with UW-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin that will support a Financial Wellness and Literacy Center on campus. The new center will equip and empower UW-Stout students with financial and economic principles and help them create a successful and sustainable future for themselves and their families. Junior Achievement will provide expertise, financial literacy curriculum, and implementation support for work that will focus on financially vulnerable populations like racial minorities, first-generation college students, and low-income individuals. This partnership will use new JA programs now available for young people aged 18–25. Learn More How can you help? Other UW system campuses are offering “Adulting 101” classes to help students develop tools for time management, money management, and interviewing skills. If you work with or have a connection to a UW Campus, let's have a conversation about how JAWIS can contribute to these programs.

Volunteering is a Team Sport A recent survey by Deloitte showed almost 90% of respondents believe companies that encourage employees to volunteer offer a better overall working environment than those who don’t. 77% of those surveyed said company-sponsored volunteer opportunities increase employee well-being. And according to a recent survey conducted by JA USA, more than 2/3 of JA volunteers reported a sense of fulfillment, while 58% said the experience helped them feel they were making an impact. Learn More How can you help? Promote team volunteering through a JA program! Employees who volunteer develop professional and leadership skills, they report higher morale, and it’s easier to attract new talent. Please share this information with your professional colleagues and help us increase our pool of motivated volunteers across the state!

3DE Education Experience Completes First Semester in Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee Bay View and Marshall High School students are developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for the workplace through the 3DE by JA program during this school year. Alongside teachers, volunteers, and business case partners including Professional Dimensions, Educators Credit Union, Deloitte, Arby’s, Delta Airlines and others, students focus on developing solutions to real-world business challenges. This recent article highlights the 3DE impact on one Milwaukee student. Learn More How Can You Help? Milwaukee area volunteers are needed throughout the rest of the spring semester. Contact Michael Frohna at mfrohna@jawis.org if you are interested in participating in this ground-breaking new program.

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