West Hartford Student to be featured at Junior Achievement “Partners in Achievement” Event

On Friday, May 17, a student from Hall High School in West Hartford will be among the featured speakers at the 10th Annual Partners in Achievement Breakfast to support the financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship programs of Junior Achievement.   

The popular event, which was attended last year by more than 300 guests, will be held at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, 7:15 – 9:00 AM, and brings together business leaders from throughout the region, volunteers and students who have participated in JA programs. 

Students will serve as ambassadors during the morning event, highlighting their personal experiences with JA in talking with business and community leaders.  In addition, local educators and volunteers will relate the importance of JA in empowering students and providing a solid foundation of financial literacy knowledge that is essential for future success.  

Hall High School sophomore Alyssa Surowiec will be one of two students featured to discuss her participation in the JA Entrepreneurial Academy, a new 15-week afterschool program taking place at The Hartford.  Hall High School is among a growing number of schools using the JA curriculum and volunteer instructors to bring financial education to their students. 

Thanks in part to the funds raised at last year’s Partners in Achievement event, the number of students reached in this region eclipsed 34,000 for the first time last year, and the number of schools with JA programs surpassed 165, the most in the history of JA of Southwest New England.  As interest in the JA curriculum continues to grow, more schools are now seeking JA programs than there are volunteers to deliver them.

JA’s Partners in Achievement breakfast is a fundraising event that supports JA’s financial education programs in the schools.  Though the breakfast is free to attend, guests will be asked to make a financial contribution.  The annual event has become one of the region’s best opportunities to network with the region’s business leaders and to be inspired by students, educators and volunteers who have all experienced JA programs.

In addition to Surowiec, 7th and 8th grade students from New Britain and 5th and 6th graders from Avon will serve as ambassadors during the breakfast program, sharing their experiences with JA.  A student from East Hartford High School who took part in the JA Entrepreneurial Academy will also be speaking.

Last year, 2,500 volunteers - business professionals, parents, retirees, and college students – offered JA programs to students in schools throughout Hartford, Litchfield, New Haven, Windham, Tolland, New London and Middlesex counties.  There are ongoing programs at the elementary, middle school and high school level, as well as afterschool programs. 

To RSVP for the Partners in Achievement breakfast on May 17 please contact Jeremy Race at jrace@jaconn.org or 860-525-4510 x225.  To learn more about the JA, visit www.jaconn.net.