All posts tagged: Junior Achievement

Two Local JA Fellows Start-Up Teams Head to National Awards

Two Local JA Fellows Start-Up Teams Head to National Awards

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and NSU University School student entrepreneurship teams selected to compete for JA USA’s 2021 National Company of the Year

City of Coconut Creek, Florida – Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) is proud to announce that two of its twenty-five JA Fellows student company teams have been selected to compete for the 2021 JA National Company of the Year at the virtual Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS) on June 22-24.

JA Fellows teams Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s Smile Senders and NSU University School’s ClippedNotes took their companies from an idea to a profitable company in eight months.

“We are thrilled to see these innovative teams represent Junior Achievement of South Florida at this prestigious national competition. This is our 6th consecutive year running the program, which has engaged over 3,000 students to date, and the 6th time our teams have made it to nationals,” said Laurie Sallarulo, Junior Achievement of South Florida President & CEO. “We applaud all 550 students who participated this year for their outstanding efforts and thank our teachers, mentors and community partners who support the program.”

The COVID-19 pandemic was the inspiration for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s Smile Senders gift boxes filled with items to cheer up people.

“Smile Senders is beyond excited to have been chosen for the National JA Competition this June! We cannot thank the Junior Achievement of South Florida leadership, as well as our mentors, friends, and family for their support. We hope to see you at the Summit live and cannot wait to bring a smile to your face,” said Jacob Foster, President of Smile Senders.

ClippedNotes, NSU University School’s JA team, came up with a product that gave people a creative way to jot notes or reminders for each other.

“The ClippedNotes team is so excited and honored to have been selected as an NSLS finalist. Having received top honors in the regional competition, we are hopeful to have continued success while spreading our story and mission nationally,” said CEO Kennedy Clark.

Only fifteen JA Fellow company teams, out of over 500 nationwide, are invited to compete at the NSLS. The competition’s top honor is JAUSA Company of the Year, first, second, and third-place awards will be Livestreamed on June 24.

The student companies will be assessed on their financial performance, individual team members’ personal and professional development, a self-produced commercial about their product or service, their team’s live presentation to a panel of business leaders, and their company’s overall performance.

The other awards that will be presented at the 2021 NSLS virtual event include the Delta Social Impact Award, the EY Innovation Award, the FedEx Access Award, and the ICE NYSE Best Financial Performance Award.

In addition to competing, JA Fellows Company Program® students will build their professional network with fellow teens from across the country, participate in professional development seminars to further build on their entrepreneurial skills, and will have the opportunity to engage with national experts in innovation, entrepreneurship, and business through virtual webinars.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida
Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA offers cutting-edge skills training that enables young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; prepares and places students in summer jobs that give them real world experience; teaches students how to start and run businesses and develop entrepreneurial mindsets and skills; and provides education of financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 proven programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and simulations at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org.

About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 3 million students annually in 105 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.

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Two Local JA Fellows Start-Up Teams Head to National Awards
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SFBW May 2021: Soft Skills Lead to Rock Stars

SFBW May 2021: Soft Skills Lead to Rock Stars

Junior Achievement Fills In The Gaps That The Traditional Classroom Leaves Behind

By Drew Limsky
South Florida Business & Wealth, May 2021 Edition

“I am a social person,” says high school senior Huguette St Hubert, with her characteristic directness. She recalls feeling “emotionally drained” when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and it became clear to her that her social network, other than her family, was threatening to dry up along with the educational camaraderie she so prizes.

Born in Haiti and now 18, St Hubert emigrated to the United States at 13 to live with her father—and for the educational opportunities—in Fort Lauderdale. She graduated Lauderdale Lakes Middle School without a hitch, but it’s safe to say that St Hubert’s senior year at Fort Lauderdale’s Stranahan High School required some adjustments. Ironically, the most “normal” thing about the last year has revolved around what is arguably the most stressful aspect of a typical senior year: the age old question of which college to choose. (She has narrowed it down to FAU and NSU).

But for St Hubert, Junior Achievement of South Florida— which empowers students through work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—has proven to be a life raft, both before and during the pandemic. The physical facility—at least pre-COVID— was a hub of activity, a smart simulation of a central business district: “It gives students a glimpse into the business world,” explains Keith Koenig, a longtime sponsor of Junior Achievement and the owner and CEO of City Furniture (his son Andrew serves as president). “There are about 20 different businesses that are $50,000-per-year sponsors, and that’s important foundation funding. We each have a physical presence, a storefront, so students can roleplay as bankers—or working for a furniture company.”

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SFBW May 2021: Soft Skills Lead to Rock Stars
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Girls Rule Connected High School Girls with Successful Women

Girls Rule Connected High School Girls with Successful Women

Junior Achievement® of South Florida’s Inaugural “Girls Rule ― Ignite Your Super Power” Virtual Event on March 31 Connected Over 200 Local High School Girls with Successful Women 

COCONUT CREEK, FL – On March 31, over 200 girls from South Florida high schools were able to connect with accomplished women during Junior Achievement® (JA) of South Florida’s inaugural “Girls Rule ― Ignite Your Super Power” virtual event. Junior Achievement’s “Girls Rule” is one amazing initiative and two virtual events that celebrate, empower, and inspire women and girls.

During the March 31 virtual event, students who might not have the opportunity to be influenced and mentored by strong women role models engaged with inspiring and exciting keynote speakers. In addition, they attended breakout sessions led by experienced women leaders, paired with young female JA alumnae; and received a swag bag.

Serving as the event’s keynote speaker was Ari Chambers, a New York City-based multimedia journalist, sports host, and social media manager. Chambers is the founder of HighlightHER, a rapidly-growing women’s sports platform. Jeanine Suah and Maghan Morin, co-founders of Thynk Global, also served as guest speakers for the event.

Breakout session topics covered self-care, goal setting, financial wellness, self-invention, personal branding, making responsible choices, building positive relationships, self-acceptance, effective teamwork, the power of positivity, and effective communication/public speaking.

“‘Girls Rule,’ held during International Women’s Month, was an outstanding success,” said Laurie Sallarulo, Junior Achievement of South Florida president & CEO. “We connected over 200 girls in South Florida with resilient and forward-thinking women of today, with the common vision to transform and advance the world for future generations of women.”

“It was such an honor to be a part of this event and positively impact the lives of so many aspiring girls,” said Mo Corker of Comerica Bank, the event’s title sponsor. “‘Girls Rule’ was designed to empower these young women and encourage them to have healthy, courageous conversations through a number of skills, including goal setting, personal accountability and harnessing their own unique super power.”

The March 31 virtual event was preceded by a March 16 virtual launch event, attended by “Girls Rule” sponsors and facilitators. The launch event was sponsored by Title Sponsor Comerica Bank and Presenting Sponsor Bluegreen Vacations, and featured keynote speaker Kara Goldin, founder & CEO of Hint, Inc.

Additional “Girls Rule” partners include CITY Furniture, Rick Case Automotive, Castle Group, JM Family Enterprises, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, FPL, Jazwares, EY, Office Depot, Valley Bank, Ultimate Kronos Group, Hoffman’s Chocolates, RCC Associates, Kaufman Rossin, KEMET Electronics, Hotwire Communications, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Memorial Healthcare System and Miller Construction Company.

All women can join the Women Ignites Futures Movement, powered by CITY Furniture. For a donation of $50, women can submit a 2-minute video sharing their superpower, which will be shared on all social media platforms. For $100, they can also receive a copy of Goldin’s book “Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters.”

For more information about Girls Rule, visit www.jasouthflorida.org/girlsrule. To learn more about JA, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida
Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

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Girls Rule Connected High School Girls with Successful Women
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State Farm Awards $60,000 Grant to Junior Achievement

State Farm Awards $60,000 Grant to Junior Achievement

Funding Supports Junior Achievement Work Readiness & Financial Literacy programs for At-Risk Children

 

For Immediate Release 

For More Information Contact: 

Christopher Miller, Marketing Manager
Junior Achievement of South Florida
(954) 979-7110 
[email protected] 

COCONUT CREEK – The Junior Achievement Florida Foundation has announced today that it has received a $60,000 grant from State Farm. The state-wide initiative will support Junior Achievement learning experiences in eight localities throughout Florida, enabling thousands of young people to participate in JA’s nationally recognized financial literacy and work readiness learning experiences.

“The mission of State Farm remains committed to ensuring that young people receive financial literacy and work readiness education programs,” said Jose Soto, Corporate Responsibility Analyst at State Farm. “Junior Achievement programs help all students improve their financial literacy, especially the low to moderate income students who derive greater benefits from the programs.”

Locally, the $5,000 allocation of State Farm funds to Junior Achievement of South Florida partially funds at-risk high school students with the JA Personal Finance learning experience, educating young people on the relationship between today’s financial decisions and future financial freedom.

Other JA area will use the support to advance learning experiences most needed in their region. JA Southwest Florida will also provide the JA Personal Finance program. JA Tampa Bay will deliver JA Inspire Virtual Career Expo supplemented with the JA Digital Career App. JA Miami will advance the JA Stock Market Challenge, empowering students to visualize, first-hand, how the laws of economics unfold in the real world, encapsulated in a virtual competition. JA Space Coast will provide third and fourth grade students a virtual component of JA More Than Money; a learning experience designed to introduce concepts of money management, goods and services, and global markets.  JA Central Florida, JA North Florida, and JA Palm Beaches will deliver the newly enhanced JA Finance Park Virtual; where students will build a foundation for making intelligent and informed personal finance decisions. JA Northwest Florida will provide JA Economics for Success through a virtual delivery platform, where students explore their skills, interests, values, and the world of work to make informed education, career, and life decisions.

“Many students in our community lack the basic information they need to make good education, career and financial decisions,” explains Laurie Sallarulo, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. “Junior Achievement provides them with the essential entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy skills to be successful future consumers, employees and leaders. We appreciate State Farm for investing in our mission to prepare and inspire youth for success in a global economy.”

About State Farm®

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its 19,200 agents and 59,000 employees serve approximately 84 million policies and accounts – over 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and over 2 million financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2020 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to more than 54,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

State Farm Awards $60,000 Grant to Junior Achievement
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High School JA Business Receives Biggest Sale of Year

High School JA Business Receives Biggest Sale of Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Jurgens, Business Technology Instructor
Atlantic Technical College & Technical High School
4700 Coconut Creek Pkwy.
Coconut Creek, FL 33066
(754) 321-5100, Email: [email protected]

Coconut Creek, Florida –  NobleMasque, a Junior Achievement Fellows student company at Atlantic Technical College & Technical High School in Coconut Creek announced today that it has made its largest sale ever, more than doubling its total revenue for the school year. The order of nearly $1,000 for custom COVID-19 face masks is for Junior Achievement of South Florida for Girls Rule, an upcoming event for high school girls.

NobleMasque is a high school student-run company for the school year 2020-21 that sells comfortable, fashionable and reusable cotton and silk face masks. It is run by high school seniors in the Business Management & Analysis and Drafting programs. These young entrepreneurs manage their own marketing, sales, accounting, supply and production, and distribution. They earn money, pay expenses and keep their profits after donating a small portion of sales to Junior Achievement of South Florida and a charity of their choice.

When asked why NobleMasque was selected as the mask supplier for this event, Jill Reipsa, Junior Achievement’s Director of Classroom and Community Programs and Martha Rios, Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives agreed. “We chose to work with NobleMasque because of the quick response time, the professional communication we received, and their ability accommodate our needs.  It was such a pleasure working with Javon Peter from NobleMasque.  I loved that they offered their suggestions on placing our design on the masks.  The payment process was very easy.  We look forward to receiving our masks and sharing them with our girls that attend the Girls Rule event.” they added.

“Having this opportunity means a lot to us. We have worked really hard throughout these past months and we are extremely grateful that NobleMasque is able to complete this huge order for the Girls Rule event held by Junior Achievement,” said Vincenzo Alfonso Feliz.

Student Alejandra Meneses feels they were selected because NobleMasque emphasizes quality work and customer service. “All year our company strived and excelled in all areas from getting the best quality mask to packaging and delivery. We pride ourselves on our customer service and having our customers satisfied by resolving any problems they may encounter and making their purchase an enjoyable one,” she said.

NobleMasque has not let the pandemic slow them down. As taught to do in uncertain times, they “pivoted” from in-person sales and shifted their focus to the internet. They have been very active on social media and created their own website to sell their products.

The promotion has paid off. Arif Ali said “We take great pride in being selected for this big order. It has increased our connections and given us the opportunity to put the company’s name out there giving us an advantage over other companies,” he said.

“This year’s ATC Junior Achievement Fellows student-led company, NobleMasque, formed a timely, affordable business model to offer a product everyone needs in these COVID-19 times, a mask,” said Sandra Welch, Commissioner, City of Coconut Creek and Junior Achievement Fellows mentor who worked with the students almost weekly along with Ken Wingerter and Andrew Mazlin both of Wells Fargo.  “The students were focused on a mask which was eco and skin friendly.  I couldn’t be prouder of all of them, and how they came together to work as a team,” she said.

“What a great way to end the year for this hard-working group of young business professionals as they get set to graduate in June.” said Karen Jurgens, Atlantic Technical College & Technical High School Instructor and Lead Teacher for Junior Achievement Fellows.

For more information about NobleMasque, click here.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida
Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

About JA Fellows:
JA Fellows is the “GO TO” business incubator through a learning-by-doing entrepreneurial and business experience for middle and high school students. Students gain real-world business experience by working in groups of 20-25, conceptualizing, capitalizing, and managing their own small businesses. Throughout this real-life entrepreneurship experience, students develop communication, financial management, problem-solving, collaboration and time management skills, just to name a few. Mentors work in teams of 4-6, coaching students through the process of starting and running a small business. “Spark Tank” competitions (Shark Tank-like events) are judged by local business leaders. At year-end, companies participate in a local competition for award, and a chance to compete in a national competition, National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS), in Washington, D.C. in June. JA is proud to have two teams compete nationally in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Alpha Solutions was named 2017 National “Company of the Year,” Pure Serenity was “Company of the Year” 2nd place in 2019 and Germ Genie” was “Company of the Year” 2nd place in 2020 during the first virtual NSLS competition. Learn more at https://jasouthflorida.org/ja-fellows/.

High School JA Business Receives Biggest Sale of Year
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Girls Rule Celebrates, Empowers and Inspires Women and Girls

Girls Rule Celebrates, Empowers and Inspires Women and Girls

COCONUT CREEK, FL – Junior Achievement of South Florida launches Girls Rule – one amazing initiative and two exciting virtual events that celebrate, empower, and inspire women and girls.

Girls Rule with Title Sponsor Comerica Bank and Presenting Sponsor Bluegreen Vacations, kicks off with The Girls Rule Launch Event on Tuesday, March 16, from noon-1:15 p.m. “We are bringing together today’s resilient and forward-thinking women together to connect around a common vision to transform and advance the world for future generations of women,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO.

The Launch Event is reserved for sponsors, their guests and supporters and will provide an intimate and real-life opportunity to network. Guests will be inspired by Kara Goldin, Founder and CEO of Hint, Inc. Her company is best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water, with more than 150 employees and $150 million in sales. She also has a podcast and new book entitled, “Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters”.

On Wednesday, March 31, from 3-5 p.m. is the Girls Rule – Ignite Your Super Power Main Event that will connect hundreds of high school girls with powerful women. Students who might not have the opportunity to be influenced and mentored by strong women role models, will engage with inspiring and exciting keynote speakers, attend breakout sessions led by experienced women leaders paired with young female JA Alumni and receive a swag bag.

The event keynote speaker is Ari Chambers, a multi-media journalist, sports host, and social media manager based in New York City. Ari works for highlightHER and has grown its followers to over 70,000 and is considered the fastest growing women’s sports platform. Her message: “Women’s Potential is Limitless”.

Breakout session topics will cover self-care, goal setting, financial wellness, self-invention, personal branding, making responsible choices, building positive relationships, self-acceptance, effective teamwork, the power of positivity and effective communication/public speaking.

“We are honored to serve as the title sponsor of Junior Achievement Girls Rule,” said Mo Corker, Comerica Bank Florida External Affairs Market Manager. “Historically, women have played a vital role in our country’s economic recovery and growth, which is why it is important that we invest in girls’ and women’s empowerment. Our bank is committed to equipping the leaders of tomorrow with the tools and money skills needed to navigate the increasingly complex financial landscape. Partnering with JA on this initiative, creates a path to economic freedom for girls who traditionally would not have access to these resources.”

Other Girls Rule partners include Bluegreen Vacations, CITY Furniture, Rick Case Automotive, Castle Group, JM Family Enterprises, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Office Depot, Valley Bank, Jeni Kampeas Chokron, Laurie Sallarulo, Peter Woolf, Hoffman’s Chocolates, KEMET Electronics, Chaisteli Insurance Group, Holy Cross Hospital and Miller Construction Company.

In addition to sponsoring the event, women can join the Women Ignites Futures Movement, powered by CITY Furniture. For a donation of $50, women can submit a 2-minute video sharing their superpower, which will be shared on all social media platforms. For $100, they can also receive a copy of Kara’s book “Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters”.

For more information about Girls Rule, including sponsorship and facilitator opportunities, visit www.jasouthflorida.org/GirlsRule or contact Robyn Harper at (954) 979-7124 or [email protected].

About Junior Achievement of South Florida
Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

About Kara Goldin
Kara Goldin is the Founder and CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. She has been named one of InStyle’s Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Fortune’s Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California. The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. Kara has successfully navigated the world of large companies and startups in many industries including media, tech and consumer products. In addition, she understands retail and direct to consumer well. She is an active speaker & writer and hosts the podcast The Kara Goldin Show where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs and other disruptors across various industries. Kara’s first book, Undaunted, published by Harper Leadership, was released in October 2020. She lives in the Bay Area. Follow Kara on all social handles @KaraGoldin
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Girls Rule Celebrates, Empowers and Inspires Women and Girls
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Laurie Sallarulo Appointed to Statewide Board of Directors

Laurie Sallarulo Appointed to Statewide Board of Directors

For Immediate Release: December 23, 2020
Contact: Governor’s Press Office, (850) 717-9282, [email protected]

 GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS APPOINTS LAURIE SALLARULO TO THE FLORIDA
ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Laurie Sallarulo to the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation Board of Directors.

Laurie Sallarulo, of Fort Lauderdale, is President and CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. Previously, she was CEO of Leadership Broward Foundation, Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County and Chief Development and Strategic Officer for 2-1-1 Broward. Sallarulo has also volunteered her time with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and Leadership Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany.

About The Able Trust

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, is a 501(c)(3) public charity established by the Florida Legislature in 1990 as a direct support organization for the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Its mission is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has worked with community organizations throughout the state to help thousands of Floridians with disabilities of all ages enter the workforce. The Able Trust youth programs provide career development and transition to many students with disabilities annually, helping to reduce the dropout rate and prepare young adults for life beyond high school.

Learn more at http://www.abletrust.org/.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida 

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

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Laurie Sallarulo Appointed to Statewide Board of Directors
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My Junior Achievement Journey | Ayesha Sulaman

My Junior Achievement Journey | Ayesha Sulaman

From Program Assistant, to Program Lead, to Marketing Coordinator. Ayesha reflects on her journey through her time at Junior Achievement of South Florida:

The Journey Begins 

In August of 2018, I was hired as a Program Assistant for Junior Achievement of South Florida’s JA BizTown program. I never imagined myself working with students, yet alone 5th graders! It was amazing seeing them grasp the concepts of financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness at such a young age. I developed many skills including leadership, understanding, patience, stress and time management. I was deeply moved by the impact JA had on these students and pleasantly surprised when I found out that there were programs for students in middle and high school.  

If you’ve ever had the joy of volunteering at JA BizTown, you know that it is a fast-paced working environment. I had to be ready for things you cannot plan for and be able to think quickly on my feet. While this made day-to-day tasks stressful, it was never a boring day and helped build my character. Of course, I had the help of some amazing volunteers who communicated to students their roles as consumers, business leaders and employees.  

The Next Step 

After my first year, I quickly moved up to become a Program Lead, began learning the volunteer orientation, helped prepare JA BizTown curriculum and began to train some of the newly hired Program Assistants. These tasks gave me a better understanding and different perspective of the program. Of course, I wanted to make the most out of my experience, so I offered to work JA events like JA World Uncorked, Rose Soiree and JA Business Hall of Fame! 

I even became involved with the Empowerment Committee, where I served as the committee chair for two years. I discovered a new passion for party planning and decorating! The committee coordinated staff massages, yoga, and our annual JA Olympics. I loved seeing how small, simple gestures, could bring such huge smile on the faces of my fellow co-workers.  

COVID-19 Set Back 

Once COVID-19 hit, my job was on hold due to the fact that students could not visit JA World. I was then offered the position as Marketing Coordinator, a position I had my eye on since I started working at Junior Achievement. I had so much fun working and supporting the team, especially during events. It’s always great seeing everyone come together to pitch in and make the mission come alive.  

During this role, I learned much about creating video content, podcasting, social media strategies, email marketing and website maintenance on WordPress. I enjoyed bragging about the JA impact to stakeholders and connecting with them on LinkedIn! I learned so much and was inspired to start my very own company, Teany Weeny. Although COVID-19 initially set back my career journey, it also brought up new opportunities. 

 The End of One Journey 

As my time at Junior Achievement of South Florida comes to an end, it allows me time to reflect on my experience and prepare for the next journey. As I look back, all I could say is that I am thankful for the skills I’ve learned, the opportunities, and the ever-lasting friends I made. 

My Junior Achievement Journey | Ayesha Sulaman
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Virtual Career Exploration Program Reaches More Than 8,000 South Florida Students

Virtual Career Exploration Program Reaches More Than 8,000 South Florida Students

For Immediate Release 

For More Information Contact: 

Christopher Miller, Marketing Manager
Junior Achievement of South Florida
(954) 979-7110 
[email protected] 

 VIRTUAL CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM REACHES 
MORE THAN 8,000 SOUTH FLORIDA STUDENTS 

Junior Achievement of South Florida is hosting JA Inspire Virtual, an online and interactive career exploration program on February 2-3, 2021. JA Inspire is a virtual career exploration fair targeting up to 8,000 8th, 11th and 12th grade students introducing them to high growth/high demand career pathways. These pathways include automotive, aviation, construction, finance, government, health, hospitality, marine and technology.  

“Building a talent pipeline across industries is a common problem faced by our community. This is an opportunity for all of us to work together to inspire and excite our young people about jobs available right here in South Florida,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO. “JA Inspire gives students the ability to connect with employers who will answer the students’ questions about their industries, career paths, job responsibilities and business culture.” 

The program will feature more than 50 exhibitors that have the flexibility to make their booths creative with videos, pamphlets, flyers, photos and career stories using the VFairs platform. Students will be given the choice to add information to their “backpack” so they can re-visit the booths for up to 90 days after the live event.  

When students sign into the virtual platform, they will enter a virtual lobby along with other student avatars. They can then maneuver to an information center, an auditorium with live webinars, and visit virtual halls. Students will find specific industries using the directory provided to them, or can explore the virtual halls and stop at exhibitor booths. Throughout the day, there will be games to keep the students interested and engaged. 

“Why JA Inspire? Students will begin their explorations with mostly abstract notions and will end up focused and activated, with real insights on what industries interest them, what specific jobs are like, and what education is required to do them successfully,” Sallarulo said. 

For exhibitors and partners, this is an opportunity to inspire today’s students by sharing great things about your industry/business, financially contribute to JA programs through a sponsorship, and market your company to students, educators, parents and other businesses. Thank you to our current sponsor, The City of Pompano Beach and our exhibitors, Crewfacilities.com, Coconut Creek Fire Rescue, Publix and Tri Rail. 

To get involved with JA Inspire, or to learn more visit https://jasouthflorida.org/JAInspire call Claire Aguilera at (954) 979-7104.  

 About Junior Achievement of South Florida 

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida. 

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Virtual Career Exploration Program Reaches More Than 8,000 South Florida Students
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A Virtual Summit for a More Equitable and Just Tomorrow

A Virtual Summit for a More Equitable and Just Tomorrow
When: Tuesday, December 08, 2020
Where: Virtual Event
Time: 1:00 PM EST

As an extension of their digital and experiential learning resources, Junior Achievement is partnering with Invest in You: Ready. Set. Grow., CNBC’s financial wellness and education initiative in partnership with Acorns, to host a “Summit for a More Equitable and Just Tomorrow” on December 8 at 1pm ET.

Hosted by CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson, this unique interactive event will give teens across America direct access to some of the country’s most knowledgeable experts on economic empowerment, especially as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The panelists will offer simple, straightforward strategies to help empower participants to strive toward promoting a more equitable and just tomorrow.

About CNBC

CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business content consumed by more than 557 million people per month across all platforms. The network’s 15 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC’s global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new reality programming, CNBC’s highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries.

CNBC also offers content through its vast portfolio of digital products such as: CNBC.com, which provides real-time financial market news and information to CNBC’s investor audience; CNBC Make It, a digital destination focused on making you smarter about how you earn, save and spend your money; CNBC PRO, a premium service that provides in-depth access to Wall Street; a suite of CNBC mobile apps for iOS and Android devices; Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice interfaces; and streaming services including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Samsung Smart TVs. To learn more, visit https://www.cnbc.com/digital-products/.

Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversal Media Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com.

Need More Information?

For more information about this event, please contact us!
Register Today
A Virtual Summit for a More Equitable and Just Tomorrow
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