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Opening Doors to Independence 

There are days that feel different the moment they begin—days filled with possibility, pride, and purpose. 

At Junior Achievement of South Florida, one of those days came to life as we welcomed students from Lighthouse of Broward to JA BizTown. 

From the moment they arrived, the energy was undeniable. JA BizTown buzzed with excitement as students stepped into a world built just for them—a place where careers come alive, confidence grows, and every child has a role to play. But this day carried something even deeper. 

Every student was empowered to participate. To belong. To thrive. 

At JA, we are committed to serving all children, from all walks of life—and this experience was a powerful reflection of that promise. For Lighthouse of Broward students, their families, and the organization itself, it was more than a visit. It was a moment of connection, inclusion, and discovery. 

Inside JA BizTown, students explored careers, interacted with peers, and embraced new challenges with enthusiasm and determination. You could see it in their smiles, hear it in their conversations, and feel it in the pride they carried as they stepped into each role. 

Because at the heart of it all is something every child deserves: the opportunity to envision a life of independence. 

This day shone a bright light on what’s possible—showing students that their skills, talents, and aspirations can lead them anywhere they choose to go. It reinforced a simple but powerful truth: there is a place for everyone in the world of work. 

This wasn’t just a day at JA BizTown; it was a life-changing, perspective-shifting experience—one that inspired confidence, sparked ambition, and opened doors to futures filled with possibility. 

Be part of moments like this. Supporting JA means supporting every child across Broward and south Palm Beach Counties. Volunteer your time, advocate for JA programs to be part of your child’s education and make a gift to help expand JA experiences for students K–12 and beyond. 

Because when we invest in every child, we build a future where everyone belongs.

From First Step to Full Speed Ahead: Jacob Wilson’s Story 

Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to change the direction of a life. 

For Jacob Wilson, that opportunity came through Junior Achievement of South Florida’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program—where he became one of JA’s very first graduates in the Marine Technician track. Today, he’s not just working in the marine industry—he’s thriving in it. 

But Jacob will be the first to tell you: it’s not just about what he learned. It’s about who he became. 

Before JA, the marine industry wasn’t even on his radar. Now, it’s his future. 

Through the Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Jacob gained hands-on technical training and real-world exposure that gave him the confidence to step into an entirely new field. But beyond the hard skills, it was the everyday habits—the soft skills—that truly set him apart. 

Showing up on time. Being present. Taking notes. Accepting constructive criticism and using it to grow. 

The kinds of skills that don’t just land you a job—but help you keep it, grow in it, and stand out. 

And Jacob does stand out. 

“I know my employer looks at me and says, ‘That’s the person I want on my team,’” he shared. It’s a statement he carries with pride—and one that fuels him every single day. That sense of purpose, of being valued, has become both his motivation and his momentum. 

JA didn’t just teach Jacob how to work—it showed him what it takes to succeed. 

Through immersive, real-world experiences, he learned how to navigate expectations, adapt in professional environments, and take ownership of his future. The program didn’t just open a door—it gave him the confidence to walk through it. 

And for Jacob, that made all the difference. That path is now full speed ahead. 

Help create more stories like Jacob’s. Employers can become JA Pre-Apprenticeship partners, parents can encourage students to explore these career pathways, and individuals and organizations can make a financial contribution to help more young people access meaningful opportunities. JA career tracks include HVAC Technician, Yacht Service Technician, Water Operations Specialist, Wastewater Operations Specialist, Electrician, Plumber, Roofer, and Telecommunications Lineman. 

Where Trade Careers Come to Life 

The room was filled with curiosity, ambition, and a lot of thoughtful questions at Junior Achievement of South Florida’s Trailblazers in Trades Summit – an event designed to bring students face-to-face with the people behind some of today’s most essential and in-demand industries. 

Focused on the marine, construction, and water management fields, the summit gave JA Pre-Apprenticeship students an inside look at what it really takes to build a career in the skilled trades. Professionals shared their career journeys, a day in the life of their work, and the range of roles within their industries. They also offered honest insight into pay ranges, recommended entry points, and how AI and other disruptors are beginning to reshape the future of their fields. 

What made the event especially powerful was how authentic the conversations felt. Panelists didn’t just talk about job titles, they shared personal stories, career pivots, and real-life moments that made their work meaningful and exciting. Students had the opportunity to ask questions during the panel, and it was clear they were fully engaged. Many asked about their own personal situations, how to get their foot in the door, and what next steps they could take to explore these careers more seriously. 

That energy carried beyond the stage. 

After the panel discussion, students had the chance to meet one-on-one with the professionals, introduce themselves, and start building connections that could lead to real-life opportunity. You could see the spark – students weren’t just inspired, they were ready. Ready to learn more, ready to take action, and ready to imagine themselves in these industries. 

That spirit is exactly what JA’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to ignite. 

Through a six-month, work-based learning experience, the program helps students fast track their future with industry-recognized certifications, hands-on training, employer exposure, career readiness skills, and a pathway into paid employment. JA currently offers Pre-Apprenticeship pathways in Marine Service Technician, Construction, and Water Management, with Telecommunications launching in the 2026–2027 school year. 

By connecting students with real professionals and real possibilities, JA’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program is doing more than preparing young people for jobs -it is helping them discover where they can thrive. 

Where Real Conversations Begin – Bold Xchange Live 

No scripts. No slides. No safety net. 

Just real talk! The kind that usually stays behind closed doors. 

Junior Achievement of South Florida pulled back the curtain last month with the launch of Bold Xchange, a new platform designed to spark the kind of honest, unfiltered business conversations that actually move people and industries forward. Presented by On The Ball, the inaugural event underscored the power of partnership in bringing bold ideas and meaningful dialogue to the forefront.  

The debut event, Bold Xchange Live: “The Future Is In Good Hands,” took over the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale on March 13, setting the tone for what this series is all about: raw insight, real pressure, and the truth behind leadership. 

In the room? Four next-generation leaders stepping into powerful legacies – Andrew Ansin, Andrew Koenig, Christina Pappas, and Teddy Morse. No rehearsed remarks. No polished talking points. Just candid reflections on what it really means to inherit success: the weight of expectation, the complexity of family business, the culture you protect, and the changes you dare to make. 

Moderated by Marc Nudelberg, President of On The Ball, the conversation didn’t just skim the surface – it went straight to the core. The kind of dialogue you don’t often hear, but everyone needs. 

Because that’s the point. 

“Bold Xchange exists because the conversations that actually change things rarely happen in public,” said Junior Achievement of South Florida President & CEO Laurie Sallarulo. “We’re creating the room where they do.” 

And now, that room extends far beyond a single event. 

With the launch of the Bold Xchange – The Podcast, those same powerful conversations are now available anytime, anywhere. Hosted by Sallarulo, the podcast dives deep with the entrepreneurs, executives, and cultural forces shaping South Florida’s future – bringing listeners closer to the decisions, risks, and defining moments behind success. 

The first episode? An exclusive, no-holds-barred conversation with Rita Case, CEO of Rick Case Automotive and one of South Florida’s most iconic business leaders. 

This is more than a series. It’s a movement! One that connects established leaders with the next generation rising behind them, creating a two-way exchange of insight, perspective, and possibility. 

And it’s just getting started. 

Another Bold Xchange Live event is already on the horizon. If you’re ready for conversations that challenge, inspire, and push boundaries. Get on the list. Because the future isn’t just being talked about. 

It’s being built out loud. 

Fast Trades, Big Dreams 

The energy was electric as Junior Achievement of South Florida welcomed high school students from Broward County and South Palm Beach County to this year’s Stock Market Challenge –an unforgettable, fast-paced experience where learning meets adrenaline. 

Over the course of three action-packed days, students stepped into a high-speed trading floor where every minute mirrored a full day on Wall Street. The room buzzed with excitement as teams scrambled to track breaking news, analyze market trends, and make split-second decisions. Volunteers moved swiftly through the crowd collecting trades, while the ringing bell signaled the opening of each trading round – sending waves of anticipation across the room. 

Armed with $500,000 in imitation currency, students built their initial portfolios from more than 25 fictitious companies before diving into the competition. But success wasn’t just about quick thinking -it was about collaboration, strategy, and a deep understanding of how the market works. Teams leaned on one another, debated decisions, and adapted in real time as the market shifted around them. 

The result? An immersive, high-energy learning experience that brought financial literacy in the classroom to life in a way no textbook ever could. And the competition was fierce. One standout team rose to the top, finishing with an impressive portfolio valued at over $758,000. 

Beyond the numbers, the Stock Market Challenge is about building confidence, sharpening critical thinking skills, and giving students a glimpse into real-world financial decision-making. It’s where future investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders begin to see what’s possible. 

A special thank you to our Title Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank, and our Presenting Sponsor, Space Coast Credit Union, for helping make this impactful experience possible for our students. 

Disney Cruise Line Hosts Career Bound Students
by: Laurie Sallarulo
CEO and President of Junior Achievement of South Florida 

Students often learn best when they can connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences — and that’s exactly what happened when Junior Achievement of South Florida Career Bound students from Dillard High School and Atlantic Technical College partnered with Port Everglades and Disney Cruise Line for an immersive career exploration experience.

Through this collaboration, students gained firsthand insight into the diverse career pathways within the port, hospitality, and tourism industries — sectors that play a critical role in South Florida’s economy. Beyond learning about job titles, students explored how large-scale operations function, what skills employers value most, and how different roles work together to create seamless guest experiences.

As part of the program, students are also participating in a real-world business case challenge focused on hospitality and tourism. This hands-on project allows them to research industry trends, analyze business needs, and develop solutions, helping them build problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills that are essential for future careers. Experiences like these bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness, giving students the confidence to envision themselves in professional environments.

This opportunity was made possible through the leadership and support of the Port Everglades team, including Port Communications Manager Helen Boyer, Port Director Joseph Morris, and External Affairs and Marketing Director Ellen Kennedy, whose commitment to community engagement helped bring the experience to life. Students also benefited from the knowledge shared by career panelists Krystal Permanan, Senior Business Development Manager for the Foreign Trade Zone; Nicholas Vandenheiligenberg, Assistant Director of Business Development at Port Everglades; and Dayron Rodriguez, Port Operations Manager at Disney Cruise Line, who provided valuable perspectives on career pathways and industry expectations.

To make the experience even more memorable, students were invited by Jose Corpus and the Disney team to become the very first group to tour Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny. From the Superheroes vs. Villains theme to a behind-the-scenes look at ship operations, the visit brought classroom learning to life in a powerful way. For many students, stepping onto the ship transformed what once felt like distant career possibilities into tangible goals.

Experiences like this do more than introduce students to industries — they expand horizons, build confidence, and create motivation. By connecting young people with industry leaders and real-world environments, partnerships like these help shape career aspirations and open doors to opportunities that can influence students’ futures for years to come.

Workforce Insight:

AI Skills Essential for Today’s Workforce

Artificial intelligence is no longer a skill for the future. It’s changing the way we work, reshaping jobs and redefining the workforce right now. Companies expect candidates to know how to use AI tools effectively.

Across industries, AI capability is becoming one of the fastest-growing skills employers are looking for. Companies are no longer asking if candidates understand AI. They’re asking how well they use it.

What’s Changing

AI is not simply eliminating jobs – it’s reshaping them.

• Routine tasks are automated.
• Productivity expectations are increasing.
• Human strengths like judgment, creativity, communication and ethical decision-making are more valuable.

The advantage will belong to workers who can combine AI fluency with strong human skills.

A Question for Employers

Are you intentionally evaluating AI proficiency in your hiring process?

Forward-looking companies are beginning to:

• Ask candidates how they use AI tools in daily workflow.
• Question how they rely on AI?
• Assess how they verify accuracy and mitigate bias.
• Look for adaptability and learning agility, not just familiarity with one platform.

AI proficiency is no longer about coding expertise. It’s about application, discernment and strategic thinking.

Preparation Must Start Before the Interview

If employers expect AI readiness in their talent, students must have opportunities to develop it.

Many education systems are still working to figure out how to integrate AI meaningfully into curriculum. That gap is where partnerships with organizations who focus on workforce development matter most.

At Junior Achievement, AI is being integrated into high school workforce, pre-apprenticeship and entrepreneurship programs through:

• Case challenges
• Resume development
• Business planning simulations
• Work-readiness 

Today’s students will need AI literacy to be employable tomorrow. Students need to know not just how to use AI, but to question it, validate it and pair it with critical thinking.

When workforce non-profit organizations, school districts and employers align around evolving skill demands, we do more than prepare students for jobs, we strengthen the competitiveness of our entire regional economy.

The future of work is already here. Preparing for it begins long before the interview.

Shaping Florida’s future workforce through the collaborative efforts of BCPS and Junior Achievement of South Florida.

As we enter September and celebrate Workforce Development Month, let’s highlight the impactful partnership between Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA). In their op-ed, Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent of BCPS, and Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO of JA, discuss integrating classroom education with hands-on workforce readiness initiatives that shape our future workforce. From innovative curricula to immersive experiences at JA World Huizenga Center, their collaborative efforts equip students not just for jobs, but for successful careers.

This article explores programs from JA’s BizTown, which instills foundational skills in young students, to advanced high school programs that focus on youth employment and business creation. These initiatives are preparing students for real-world challenges and securing Florida’s competitive edge in the global market. Discover more about these transformative educational strategies and their impact on our youth by reading the full article [link to full article]. Join us in recognizing the advancements in workforce development.

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