Junior Achievement seeks Kiel's support

By: Stephen Groessel, Tri-County News

A lesser known jewel in the community of Kiel is the worldwide organization known as Junior Achievement (JA).

Armed with the mission of educating young people on basic economics, understanding the organization and management of a business or private enterprise, and preparing youngsters for eventual entry into the workplace, Junior Achievement programming taps the skills and enthusiasm of community volunteers and creates an important bridge or partnership between the business community and Junior Achievement's investment in the future success of children in a global economy.

JA goals are accomplished through a curriculum that meets state standards and is designed to enhance academic subjects in local schools, an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates reading, writing, mathematics, history, geography, social studies and the like. Along with an orientation, classroom volunteers are provided JA-developed curriculum kits (materials) which treat subject areas that focus on the entrepreneurial spirit, financial literacy and workplace readiness. The curriculum offers hands-on activities and invites presenters to share with the students their personal experiences as well.

While JA programs reach students from kindergarten to 12th grade, this spring programming will be in place for Kiel elementary and middle public and private schools. Last year JA curriculum was presented to nearly 350 students and this year the Kiel schools have almost doubled their classroom requests.

Not only are students prepared for the real world by showing them how to effectively manage their finances and learn how to contribute positively to the workforce and global economy, but many businesses find that their volunteer employees gain immense professional and personal confidence by sharpening their presentation and communication skills.

Volunteers sought from community

Volunteers can be business people, industry professionals, community professionals, college students, stay-at-home parents, or retired people. Volunteers are free to choose their subject, the school and grade level. The training of volunteers takes place prior to actual student sessions. Businesses and companies who recruit volunteers and community individuals who wish to volunteer as classroom presenters are asked to contact volunteer recruiter Karen Lepisto at Sargento Foods, Inc. Lepisto may be reached at Sargento's main office (920-893-8484) or at her direct work line (920-892-3457) or e-mail: karen.lepisto@sargento.com.

As an incentive to retain and recruit new volunteers, all volunteers are included in a statewide drawing in which two prizes are awarded. Each prize includes a round of golf for two at the Kohler courses (Meadow Valley Course at Blackwolf Run or the Irish Course at Whistling Straits), and an overnight stay at the American Club, plus a second round of golf for two (Meadow Valley Course or Irish Course). Names are entered for each of the classrooms volunteers teach.

The Junior Achievement leadership team for the Kiel area, known as JA Kiel Board of Director members, are undertaking a fund-raising campaign soliciting contributions to defray the costs associated with JA programming. Letters addressed to local industries and businesses will be received shortly asking support for the very programming that will in the course of time produce future qualified and informed employees. The request suggests donors meet the curriculum kit cost for an individual student at $20 or based on an average class of 20 students, $300. Contributions are also sought from individuals in the community as well as foundations and through special event fund-raisers. JA is not a United Way agency and does not receive any government funding. Contributions (which are tax deductible under JA's 501 (c) (3) status) are to be mailed to Pam Biegler at Delta Publications, Inc., 606 Fremont St., P. O. Box 237, Kiel, WI 53042. Checks are to be made out to Junior Achievement. Biegler may also be reached at 920-286-1310 (Cell), or pam@deltapublications.com.

The JA Kiel Board of Directors serving the Kiel area are Chairperson Nick Rolf of HUI; Jane Halverson, JA director for the Sheboygan area; Pam Biegler of Delta Publications, Inc; Sharon Hagenow of Amerequip; David Kettler of Polar Ware Company; Karen Lepisto of Sargento Foods, Inc; Jack Lewis of the Kiel Area School District; Chris Merklein of Jim Pankow, Inc., and Deb Sixel of the Kiel Area School District.

A recent designation earned by Junior Achievement worldwide is a special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). "Such status is granted to organizations with expertise in a particular field of activity covered by the Economic and Social Council. Through this status, JA is recognized as an important organization on issues relating to economic development as it relates to young people. This status empowers JA to participate, present written contribution and make statements to the Council and its subsidiary bodies at the United Nations."

Junior Achievement programming in the Kiel area falls under the umbrella of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc. and operates as a JA satellite to the Sheboygan area. As an in-depth resource on Junior Achievement, inquirers are asked to contact Jane Halverson at 920-458-0007 or jhalverson@jawis.org.

JA worldwide reaches 8.3 million students annually in nearly 100 countries. JA's unique approach integrates business volunteers, program materials, training and support

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