Muscogee County GaArchives News..... JA (Junior Achievement)Program Working Well 1978 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 27, 2007, 7:26 pm Sesquicentennal Supplement IV, Ledger-Enquirer 1978 JA Program Working Well By Joliene Hutto Ledger Staff Writer Junior Achievement is known locally for its successful program of economic education with young people, but often unknown or forgotten are the hundreds of adults who support and provide the leadership for JA to operate. At least 1,100 communities are served, nationally, by JA programs involving almost 200,000 teen-agers. These youths learn about business firsthand by running approximately 1,000 companies in which they make and sell their own products. In Columbus and Phenix City, the JA program was founded in 1956 with 10 companies, 200 young people and a few advisers. Today there are 15 companies, 600 teen-agers and 56 adult advisers who represent 15 local businesses that provide guidance and counselling for the youths. Thus, JA isn't strictly a youth program. It involves the business community and teen-age community in a worthwhile and productive program of American business, competition, individual initiative and knowledge gained by experience. The JA Board of directors is one of the volunteer adult groups represented in JA. James R. (Bob) Chaney, vice president of the marketing division for Columbus Bank and Trust Co., is president of the board. Chaney said he's "proud" to be a part of the local JA program. "Young folks need wholesome challenges. They need to feel a part of something. They need something to help them express their many talents and feelings. Junior Achievement does just that," he said. "I am proud we have adults serving as volunteers to lead and guide our young peopie in developing those talents in JA companies." The advisers are the "unsung heroes" of American business. The work they devote in time and effort cannot easily be repaid. One who has been in the program for 19 years would certainly have to have something "special" and would have to obtain more than satisfaction to stay with it so long. T.Ed Simpson, parts manager for Sears, Roebuck & Co. has been advisor of many award-winning companies during his 19 years. He knows young people to be creative and knowledgeable as well as cautious and questioning. "I get satisfaction from JA in having a small part in the training and developing of our next generation." Simpson said. "It is like the satisfaction of taking an achiever who has never written a check, never handled a set of accounting records, and help that person become the treasurer of the year or see an achiever finish school and form a business of his own. I enjoy seeing achievers in our company who are timid, and withdrawn, come alive with action and ideas, not only in JA but in school as well." Nineteen years or one year, the comments are similar. Cecil Ferrell of Royal Crown Cola Co. is a first year adviser. "I feel like they are learning something useful, something that will help them get along better in the business community," he said. "It's as much a learning experience for me as it is for them." Lee Allen Jr. was once a JA achiever. He's now an electrician for West Point Pepperell, advising Griffin, their JA company. Why? "Because I had such a good time in the program, I wanted to stay with it," he said. "Economics has been an interest of mine and I felt I ought to pass on what I've learned." Debbie Fornoff, an advertising representative who's been an advisor two years, said, "Very few of the students come into JA with any idea of production, sales, finance or quality control concepts. Consequently, it's hard to sit by and watch them take, the long way or in some instances, the wrong way to solve a problem. But if they are going to learn, we have to make ourselves sit back and wait until they ask," she said. "I'd say my satisfaction comes from seeing the progress the students make over the year - from individuals who hardly know each other to a team which cares about each other and the company." Thousands of JA graduates have fond memories of JA experiences and they owe much to the volunteer advisers they had. These adults spend at least one night a week for 30 weeks working with the 20 members of their JA company. No pay, little recognition and a lot of effort make uP the receipt each gets, along with lots of satisfaction. But none of the advisers seems to mind their volunteer job. They realize JA is not just a kids program. It's a program where adults and teenagers are partners in progress. Special Sesquicentennal Supplement IV Ledger - Enquirer, Sunday, May 7, 1978, S-26 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee/newspapers/jajunior2263gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb