Joyce Richards, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Arizona, recently shared her thoughts on the business-focused program, its activities and successes in Fountain Hills, as well as future implementation for local students.

Can you speak to the relationship that Junior Achievement has had with the Fountain Hills School District. When did it start and how has this relationship grown?

Dana Saar, a [former] member of the Fountain Hills School Board, contacted Junior Achievement in 2006. The Fountain Hills Community Foundation (FHCF) provided $75,000 in seed money for the first three years as the program was launched.

Since then this foundation, as well as Rotary, Kiwanis and several businesses, have graciously stepped up to ensure that the program continues. Many individuals have also provided financial backing as well as taught the JA curriculum in our schools.

Superintendent Tom Lawrence and his two predecessors (Dr. Marian Hermie and Dr. Bill Myhr) have been great champions of the program.

Could you provide a brief overview for those individuals who are not familiar with Junior Achievement?

Junior Achievement is in the business of teaching the fundamentals of business and economics to our youth. We feel that this is very important given our ever-changing global economy.

What has been your personal experience with Fountain Hills and JA? Does it seem like a good fit for local students?

We really enjoy our partnership with Fountain Hills and love seeing the connections that are made in the community. The FHUSD is filled with incredible teachers and administrators who truly want the best for their students.

If JA wasn’t a good fit, there is no doubt that this partnership would have ended years ago. It is touching to receive letters from students who appreciate the impact their volunteer teachers have made.

We are thankful for the dedication shown by so many and look forward to impacting many more students in the years to come.

Holly Heizenrader received a JA scholarship and Fountain Hills teachers Christopher Peterson (7th grade) and Ivy Tolis (1st grade) received awards for their exemplary support of Junior Achievement.

Volunteers and teachers work closely together to ensure the students receive a positive experience that will offer practical applications and perhaps change a few lives.

What programs at what level are currently offered in Fountain Hills?

All JA programs focus on our three pillars of success: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. At the present time, McDowell Mountain Elementary (grades K-3), Fountain Hills Middle School (grades 6 and 7), and Fountain Hills High School (grade 12) are participating.

First graders at McDowell Mountain receive five lessons, including one that focuses on the difference between needs and wants. That’s a lesson many adults jokingly say they still need to learn.

In seventh grade, our dedicated volunteers work with Mr. Peterson’s classes to help them understand how innovation and entrepreneurship have positively impacted American history. Our hope is to inspire them to carry that spirit forward as they look at their life and opportunities.

Our high school seniors participate in the Titan program as well as the Student Stock Market Challenge.

What do you hope local students are taking away from their JA experience?

We hope students leave JA empowered to own their economic future. They can earn money and save it wisely, start or grow businesses through entrepreneurial thinking, and be a positive force in the community.

Anything you hope to see added to the Fountain Hills/JA relationship in the future?

Through independent evaluations, we know that Junior Achievement has a greater impact when the students receive it each year. We would be delighted to partner with Fountain Hills Charter School and invite Fountain Hills High School to participate in the JA You’re Hired! Program.

In March, 350 college-bound students from all over the state gather for our student event featuring interactive workshops and skill-based competitions. Workshops include interviewing techniques, team building and communication, developing a resume that stands out, and dressing for success.

Workplace skills are beneficial for all young adults, regardless of their academic achievements or financial situations. They add relevancy to their education and help them prepare for the future.

Because of this, a wide range of students from classes such as Economics, business, marketing or through clubs after school such as National Honor Society, Key Club, 4H, FFA or Student Government participate in our JA You’re Hired! program.

How many Fountain Hills locals are involved with the program?

Approximately 700 students.

We are delighted with the level of local involvement, and I’d estimate that there are two to three degrees of separation between every reader of The Fountain Hills Times and Junior Achievement. That is, someone you know or a friend of someone you know is probably involved in JA in the FH community in some capacity.

Maybe you know a teacher who welcomes JA into their classroom, or a volunteer instructor who serves as a role model, or someone involved with the Rotary or Kiwanis Club. And, if you know anyone in Fountain Hills with children between the ages of five and 14, their kids have probably been a part of Junior Achievement.

This school year, approximately 35 adults from the Fountain Hills community are volunteering for JA in a local classroom and many of our volunteers return year after year.

For those interested in getting involved, who are you looking for and how would they go about signing up?

We are looking for people from all walks of life who believe in our mission and will work in partnership with great teachers to ensure the students receive the optimal JA experience.

Volunteers are given an orientation and a curriculum kit with almost everything they need to lead students through five to seven one-hour Junior Achievement lessons.

Middle school students are at an important transition in their life, and we are always looking for volunteers who understand and appreciate that. We have some sixth grade classes that need volunteers for this spring to lead our curriculum that couples career exploration with financial literacy.

High school students are participating in a JA program that teaches them about entrepreneurship and how to be a great leader.

If you are interested in volunteering in any of the FHUSD programs, please call Melissa Leasher at 219-0220 or Dena Kidd at 219-0208 or denak@jaaz.org. To learn more about our programs, visit our website at www.jaaz.org.

Are there any Fountain Hills/JA funding needs? If so, how can folks get involved with that aspect of participation?

As a non-profit organization, there are always funding needs. This school year alone, Junior Achievement has a financial investment of $36,000 in the Fountain Hills schools.

Because we offer our in-classroom programs free to the schools, we offset these costs through donations from individuals, businesses, foundations and events. To date, we have received $18,000 from various community groups and individuals, and we are working diligently to raise the other half of our investment before this school year is over.

We know it’s important for a community to keep their funding local, that’s why we’re asking your community to support these programs that affect the students who live there.

If an individual or business would like to make a donation to support our programs in Fountain Hills, they can call Dena Kidd at 219-0208, or email DENAK@jaaz.org