Junior Achievement Holds First-Ever JA Virtual Regional Business Challenge®

Author: Elijah Haase
Entrepreneurship
Published: Friday, 15 May 2020

Sharing

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – May 15th, 2020, Junior Achievement (JA) held its first-ever virtual JA Business Challenge with 43 high school students from the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Winnebago and Coulee Areas competing for college scholarships. Statewide school closings due to COVID-19 initiated the transition of the JA Business Challenge to a virtual platform. This is the first time a Junior Achievement Area in the nation used virtual technology for a JA Business Challenge competition.

“When living rooms and dining rooms became classrooms, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin knew we could and wanted to provide important resources and opportunities for students, including the chance to participate in the JA Business Challenge,” said Michael Frohna, President, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. “These times are highly unusual, but young people still desire to create and prepare for their futures. Coming along side youth to help in these ways is a privilege for us.”

Title Sponsors for the JA Virtual Regional Business Challenge are Kwik Trip and Miller Electric Mfg. LLC.

“Kwik Trip is pleased to support the JA Business Challenge. This is a great way to foster important business and life skills with our students,” said Steph Martin, Family Office Advisor.

“Miller Electric Mfg. LLC is proud to support our high school teams by giving them this opportunity to make realistic business decisions in a fun and competitive manner,” said Jennifer Feldhausen, Market Research Specialist. “The experience of the Junior Achievement Business Challenge combines student teams with business mentors, and helps open doors for tomorrow.”

The JA Business Challenge uses JA Titan®, a virtual business strategy simulation platform. Student teams, supported by volunteer mentors, make business decisions regarding price, production, marketing, capital investment, and research and development. Students compete in virtual companies and after several timed periods, teams with the highest performance index win. Students from the winning teams receive college scholarships and the opportunity to compete in the JA Virtual State Business Challenge on May 21, 2020, sponsored by Acuity.

Winners of the Regional JA Business Challenge

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Coulee Area

1st Place: Isaac Robinson and Grace Stablier of 7 Rivers Community High School, La Crosse, Wis.

2nd Place: Jackson Fenwick and Elliot Larson of Logan High School, La Crosse, Wis.

3rd Place: Henrik Traboulsi, Logan High School, La Crosse, Wis.

Students from the winning teams will each receive: $600 (1st place), $400 (2nd place), and $250 (3rd place), respectively.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Winnebago Area

1st Place: Elijah Koleske and Jackson Schipper, Appleton North High School, Appleton, Wis.

2nd Place: Josh Christofferson and Alex Wickershiem, Appleton East High School, Appleton Wis.

Students from the winning teams will each receive: $1,000 (1st place), and $500 (2nd place), respectively, from the William Siekman Junior Achievement Scholarship Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.

Volunteer Mentors from these Companies

Altra Credit Union, Associated Bank, Bendel IP Legal, Courtesy Corporation, Festival Foods, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Welds Automation, Kohl’s, PwC, Trust Point, Wells Fargo.

Corporate Sponsors for the JA Virtual Regional Business Challenge

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Coulee Area

Title Sponsor: Kwik Trip. Scholarship Sponsors: Gundersen Health System, Russel L. and Vera M. Smith Foundation. Platinum Sponsors: BMO Harris Bank, Co-op Credit Union; Market & Johnson, Inc. Team Sponsors: Borton Construction, DBS Group, LLC, Festival Foods, Mathy Construction, Trust Point, and West Salem Business Association.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Winnebago Area

Title Sponsor: Miller Electric Mfg. LLC. Enterprise Sponsor: U.S. Venture. Leadership Sponsors: Appleton Area School District, BMO Harris Bank, Festival Foods, Miron Construction Company, Inc. Scholarship Sponsor: William Siekman Junior Achievement Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. Team Sponsors: Alliance Laundry Systems, Alta Resources, Bendel IP Legal, Galloway Company, Essity, Laminations, Investors Community Bank.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Racine and Kenosha Areas

Sponsors: Twin Disc, Baird, BMO Harris Bank, Educators Credit Union, US Bank, Fischer, Southern Lakes Credit Union.