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The start of a new school year brings renewed energy to Junior Achievement of South Florida as students return to JA World for another year of exploration, discovery and hands-on learning. After a summer filled with planning, preparation and collaboration, our Experiential Learning Center team is ready to welcome young people into an environment where classrooms connect with the real world and possibilities come to life.

Through immersive experiences in Junior Achievement BizTown and Junior Achievement Career Discovery Park, students will have opportunities to develop essential skills, explore potential careers and better understand the connection between education and their futures. Whether they are managing a business, making financial decisions, working with classmates or learning about different industries, students are encouraged to think critically, communicate effectively and approach new challenges with confidence.

These experiences are designed to be engaging, inclusive and memorable for every student who walks through our doors. Working alongside educators, volunteers and community partners, the JA team creates meaningful learning opportunities that help young people recognize their strengths, discover new interests and envision pathways they may never have considered.

Opening day is about more than beginning another school year—it marks the start of thousands of individual journeys. We cannot wait to see JA World filled once again with the energy, curiosity and inspiration students bring each day as they begin exploring futures filled with possibility.

The Circle of Wise Women’s 2026 Rosé Soirée was a resounding success, bringing together an inspiring community of women and supporters to celebrate leadership, generosity and the potential of South Florida’s young people. The event honored Allison Cagnetta as the 2026 Woman of Wisdom and Diane Alonso as the 2026 Spark Award honoree, while also recognizing past honorees and welcoming newly pinned members into the Circle of Wise Women.

The highlight of the event was an unforgettable student fashion show featuring Caitlyn Lee, Olivia Campo, Shervonah Somers, Aaliyah Brown, Amanda Woods, Jasmina Bastien, Jasmine Hillaire and Makahla Gregory. With confidence, personality and style, the students stepped into the spotlight and brought JA’s mission to life. Their enthusiasm captivated the audience and offered a powerful reminder of what can happen when young women are encouraged to believe in themselves and embrace new opportunities.

Another meaningful moment came with the presentation of the 2026 I. Lorraine Thomas Scholarship to Jordyn Randolph. Guests also heard from JA alumna Solena Joachim, further demonstrating how Junior Achievement experiences can help young people develop confidence, discover their potential and move toward successful futures.

More than an elegant celebration, the Rosé Soirée reflected the heart of the Circle of Wise Women: women coming together to open doors for the next generation. The event’s success was made possible by its generous supporters, dedicated leaders and everyone who shares the belief that empowering one girl can transform a future—and strengthen an entire community.

When Vincent Prieto began his Summer Youth Employment internship with Ontic MRO, he had a clear goal: he wanted an internship that could potentially lead to a job offer. At the time, however, he had little awareness of or interest in the aviation industry. 

That changed through his internship experience. 

Vincent quickly became immersed in Ontic’s workplace culture and developed a genuine interest in the aviation field. Through hands-on experience, he gained exposure to payroll, cross-department communication, team meetings, business operations, and how different departments work together to support a company. Vincent shared that seeing the “behind the scenes” of the organization helped him understand how departments function together, while attending meetings gave him valuable exposure to the professional corporate environment. 

Throughout the internship, Vincent strengthened key workplace skills, including communication, adaptability, setting priorities, organization, typing, and Microsoft Excel. His supervisor consistently recognized his positive energy, eagerness to learn, strong time-management skills, and daily contributions. He also demonstrated growth in Vincent’s attention to detail and in balancing productivity with the quality and accuracy of his work. 

Vincent made a meaningful impact on the business as well. His supervisor shared that he was able to step into a department function and assist with business-critical, time-sensitive tasks, providing valuable additional support to the team. One of his standout moments came when he successfully handled a human resources management project during an in-house event while his supervisor was absent, demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and his ability to step up when needed. 

Ontic’s team also valued the opportunity to coach Vincent as he explored his future career aspirations. His supervisor described him as an ideal fit for the company and noted that his exposure to different areas of the workforce helped him begin envisioning new possibilities for his future. 

By the end of the internship, Vincent’s experience had exceeded his original goal. He was offered the opportunity to continue working with Ontic and ultimately transitioned into a full-time Customer Service Representative. 

For Vincent, the internship did more than lead to employment—it helped him discover a career field he had never previously considered. 

As Vincent shared in his final evaluation, “I never thought aviation was in my career interest, but now it certainly is.” He also described the JA experience as an amazing connection between students and real-life work experience and said that he was “loving” his new position with Ontic. 

Vincent’s journey demonstrates the impact of meaningful work-based learning: a summer internship can build professional skills, expose students to new industries, strengthen career confidence, and ultimately open the door to long-term employment and a new career path. 

Junior Achievement of South Florida proudly congratulates President and CEO Laurie Sallarulo on being named the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Shining Stars Businesswoman of the Year. This well-deserved honor recognizes Laurie’s visionary leadership, commitment to young people and lasting contributions to South Florida’s business and nonprofit communities.

During her decade leading JA South Florida, Laurie has helped more than triple the organization’s impact and revenue while guiding a team of 65 employees, a 70-member board of directors and more than 5,000 volunteers. She also oversees the 60,000-square-foot JA World Huizenga Center and has positioned JA as a leader in workforce development by expanding programs that connect students with industry certifications, paid work experiences and high-demand careers.

Beyond JA, Laurie serves as Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County and The Able Trust, is a board member of CareerSource Florida and founded Be Relentless Consultants. Her leadership reflects a deeply held belief that investing in young people strengthens our workforce, economy and community—and builds a better tomorrow for us all.

2026 Rose Soiree – Auction Letter