JA's Valuable Lessons Live On

by Samantha Tengelitsch

For a program with “junior” in the title, Junior Achievement certainly has sprouted some big success stories.

Take Kevin Endres, owner and founder of Three West, LLC, a successful commercial real estate company in Traverse City. Endres was introduced to JA during his senior year at St. Francis High School, where he participated in a JA Company Program as part of an economics class.

“We sold Dancing Bears T-shirts with a St. Francis twist,” he recalls. “Those that sold made real money, and making money as a student was always a good thing!”

Following graduation, Endres’ entrepreneurial drive never went away. “I knew from the beginning I wanted my own company.”

He later became a volunteer with JA and then joined the board’s executive committee. “Most of my success I attribute to a strong faith. But experiencing JA and the skills they teach opened my eyes.”

Former Procter & Gamble executive Anne Drackett Thomas, who spends summers at her home in Leelanau County, is an active community volunteer in Naples, Fla. She contributes financial support to JA and credits the program with many of her successes. “I learned the basic business fundamentals from JA that eventually propelled me toward a corporate career.”

Founded during World War I by a group of volunteers alongside Theodore Vail, president of AT&T, and Horace Moses, president of the Strathmore Paper Co., JA was developed as a workforce preparedness program. Today, JA serves 9.7 million students worldwide in more than 120 countries.

Locally, JA reaches more than 4,400 students in 200 classrooms in Bellaire, Elk Rapids, Traverse City, Kalkaska, Leland, Cadillac, Frankfort, Manistee and Lake City. Each grade level (K-12) focuses on topics relevant locally and nationally, says West Michigan District Manager Lianne Somerville. “We help students get ready for work, and explore entrepreneurship and the free-enterprise system.”

Last year, after teaching JA’s second-grade curriculum at TC Central Grade School – where they talked about jobs, taxes and how a mayor is elected – one student went on to open a summer hot dog stand to raise money for A.C. Paw, a TC-area animal rescue.

Inspired to help keep JA going strong? This Saturday, Timber Ridge Resort is teaming up with Brick Wheels to host a fundraiser for the area JA. Snow Glow 2012 will be held at Timber Ridge from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, soup by Grandview Catering, a marshmallow roast and silent auction. Organizers hope to raise $15,000; Fifth Third Bank will match up to $5,000 of the entrance fees. Other sponsors include Bill Marsh Automotive Group, Grandview Catering, Interphase Interiors and Kohl’s.