“In [Junior Achievement] we learned so much about life and real world jobs,” said Fountain Hills Middle School student Leyton Kauffman.

“One thing that stuck out the most is when we talked about achieving our goals. Even though we always hear, ‘if you believe you can do it, you can do it,’ doesn’t mean go and believe; you still have to put effort into it. So go out there, think of a goal and accomplish it.”

Quite an endorsement from a teenager, but Kauffman is representative of the nearly 1,000 Fountain Hills students who have been impacted by the Junior Achievement curriculum during the past year within Fountain Hills public schools.

Since 2006, when School Board member Dana Saar first contacted Junior Achievement, the Fountain Hills Community Foundation, Rotary, Kiwanis, several local businesses and even citizens have stepped forward with financial backing to ensure that this program continues.

All JA programs focus on three pillars of success: financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

These lessons are shared with students as young as kindergarten and advanced as high school seniors. Programs are also presented at the local Boys and Girls Club.

Last year, more than 35 community volunteers entered the classroom to mentor local kids.

Examples of lessons taught range from simple decision making and discussing the difference between wants and needs with the youngest.

At the upper elementary level, students get to explore possible careers and learn important lessons in personal finance.

Many of the middle school kids have studied innovation and the effects that entrepreneurs have had on the development of business in the country and community.

High school students actually get a chance to run their own fantasy company and see directly how their decisions affect the bottom line.

An exciting element of Junior Achievement is that, on occasion, students get to travel beyond the classroom for lessons that are more hands-on and quite impactful.

Some of the younger students have traveled to JA BizTown at the JA offices in Tempe, where they have taken on the role of business owners and community leaders for a day.

Many high school upperclassmen from all over the Valley come together for the JA You’re Hired! Challenge, where they take part in skills-based competition and interactive workshops; learning how to write resumes, dress for success and interview well.

For several years, 15 high school students took part in the annual JA Student Stock Market Challenge, competing with other teams in a ballroom set up to resemble Wall Street, complete with the bells and whistles, and even a large board showing the changing price of each stock as teams bought and sold shares from their portfolios.

“We really enjoy our partnership with Fountain Hills and love seeing the connections that are made in the community,” said Joyce Richards, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Arizona.

“The Fountain Hills public schools are filled with incredible teachers and administrators that truly want the best for their students. 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.

“Our hope is to inspire them to carry that spirit forward as they look at their life and opportunities.”

As a non-profit organization, there are always funding needs.

Most of these programs are offered at no cost to each school. Therefore, Junior Achievement has a financial investment of about $36,000 in our Fountain Hills schools.

“JA is thankful for donations to offset these costs, and though we have been successful in raising a portion through donations from individuals, businesses, foundations and events, we are working diligently to raise the remainder of our investment before the end of this school year,” Richards added.

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

Junior Achievement is always looking for people who believe in the mission and will work in partnership with local 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.

Those interested in volunteering in any of the FHUSD programs can call Dacquiri Barhitte at 219-0221 or email dacquirib@jaaz.org; or contact Dena Kidd at 219-0218 or email denak@jaaz.org.

More information about JA programs can be found by visiting www.jaaz.org.