Junior Achievement serving Warsaw/Tippecanoe Valley, and Junior Achievement serving Wawasee, are proud to recognize the men and women of these communities who are making economic education possible for more than 4,700 Kosciusko County students in kindergarten through 12th grade this school year.
More than 140 adult volunteers have been visiting classrooms and sharing professionally prepared activities that help students learn the economics of life and business. In addition, Paragon Medical is sponsoring all of the Junior Achievement programs being offered at Pierceton Elementary School.
DePuy, Farmers State Bank and Symmetry Medical are sponsoring the JA BizTown experience for fifth- and sixth-grade students. Students visit the life-size town and manage its simulated economy. As they operate the town and its businesses, the students sell a product or service; earn, lend, save, and spend money; and make choices about what to buy and how to use resources.
"The students are learning how, within the nation's free enterprise system, what they want and what they can afford are often different. They're also learning how valuable their educational goals are and how they can achieve their life dreams," said Kristi Manwaring, Farmers State Bank, Junior Achievement serving Warsaw/Tippecanoe Valley board president. "Junior Achievement is an important addition to the classroom, and the programs align with state standards for learning."
To support this economic education at all grade levels, a fundraising telephone drive is currently underway. Board members and business representatives are calling from Junior Achievement's telephone bank in space provided by Embarq at its Warsaw facility. The annual phone-a-thon is the largest fundraising event for Junior Achievement in Kosciusko County.
The annual Bowl-A-Thon recently raised funds for Junior Achievement programming, as well. This year's event, held on Nov. 3, was coordinated by Steve Holbrook, of R.R. Donnelley.
"Because of the community's commitment to Junior Achievement, students can interact with positive adult role models. They discover economic principles, learn about workforce concepts and explore personal finance," said Lori Stanger, CTB, Junior Achievement serving Wawasee board president. "It's all made possible by the generous support of businesses and individuals in our community. On behalf of the students, we can't say thank you often enough."
