Wows & Nows July 2025 Articles

Image caption: Waunakee Teens Score a ‘Three-peat’ In National Championship

Waunakee Teens Score a ‘Three-peat’ In National Championship 

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Charlie Zimbric and Nathan Hansen from Waunakee Community High School became national champions in the JA Titan® Business Challenge last month in Atlanta. The Waunakee duo is the third Wisconsin team to win the national event since 2022. Another Wisconsin team, Elena Xiong and Olivia Rubenzer from Menomonie High School, took home fifth-place honors.  

The national competition is part of “Future Bound,” a 3-day event led by national experts in innovation, entrepreneurship, and business. More than 300 JA students from across the country attended Future Bound June 9–12 at Georgia State University in Atlanta. 

The half-day business strategy championship pitted state winners from high schools across the nation against one another in a high-intensity, simulated business marketplace game in which teams work together in the role of “CEO” in the cell-phone industry. Players make split-second decisions in key business categories - production levels, marketing, pricing, research and development, capital improvements, and corporate social responsibility. 

“We couldn’t be prouder of Charlie and Nathan’s performance at Future Bound,” said Lori Astell, Director for the Southcentral Region of JA Wisconsin. “With the effort they put in, along with some amazing teamwork and natural talent for business and entrepreneurship, they’ve really given Waunakee, JA, and Wisconsin something to be proud of.” 

The JA Titan Business Challenge and JA Titan curriculum were originally developed in Wisconsin and are used by JA offices across the country.  “This JA program would not be possible without our generous corporate supporters, including statewide sponsor Acuity, plus regional sponsors Kwik Trip, Miller Electric, Landmark Credit Union, Lycon, Inc., and Johnson Financial. The legacy of Wisconsin’s place among the national winners of the JA Titan Business Challenge will hopefully continue for many years to come,” said Julie Granger, President of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. 

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Image caption: Nonprofit Excellence Awards Nomination

3DE by JA is a Finalist in the Nonprofit Excellence Awards 

“Teachers are, of course, among the most important people in our nation … next to parents they are the most important people in our communities,” said Eleanor Roosevelt, the first to suggest adding a teacher appreciation week to the calendar. And we couldn’t agree more!

At JA, while teachers are at the heart of all we do, it’s our pleasure and privilege to do a little something extra every May to show our appreciation for the everyday hard work and impact of teachers across Wisconsin. From classroom visits to personalized gifts and cards, read on to see some of the ways JA volunteers and staff took the time to show the teachers we work with how much we care.

In JA’s north-central region, 500 volunteers and educators received handwritten thank you notes and small business discount cards.

In Wausau, at St. Anne’s Elementary, Montessori Charter School, Marathon Elementary, and Spencer Elementary schools, teachers were honored with certificates, balloons and treats for their work as a “Super-school” in which every student/grade participated in a Junior Achievement program.

In JA’s Sheboygan Area, teachers were recognized on social media for their hard, loyalty and connection to JA and our work in their local area.

In JA’s Coulee Region, teachers were recognized at a Leadership Speaker event where teacher “Heroes” were honored for encouraging young people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams through Junior Achievement.

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Image caption: New Hires at JA

JA Welcomes New Hires 

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin serves more than 120,000 students annually. Our educational programs across the state are supported by a local network of experienced professionals and backed by nationwide expertise.   

Join us in welcoming these new team members and celebrating a promotion! 

Cynthia Moore  

Human Resources Director for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin 

Julie Hartmann 

Accounts Payable and Payroll Specialist for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin 

Raquel Aranda 

Capstone Education Coordinator for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Southeast Area 

Glenda Mitchell 

Promoted to Manager, Experiential Learning Center, for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin -Southeast Area 

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin is currently seeking applicants for the following positions. See our website for more information. 

Statewide Grant Writer - Junior Achievement of Wisconsin 

Grant Writer - Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Southeast Area 

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Image caption: Boy on tractor

Boss Kids Summer Lessons That Last a Lifetime 

“No more pencils, no more books …” goes the old kids’ rhyme as they rush away from classes and desks. Little do they do know that they could be learning some new lessons that will last a lifetime. 

From lemonade stands to lawn mowing, a summer business venture is more than just a rite of passage; it’s a way to dive head-first into marketing, money management, customer service, and the ups and downs of business success and failure.  

At Junior Achievement, we get it – and encourage parents and teachers to start thinking early about the many free resources we offer to help students get a jump-start on the skills they will need when they all-too-soon make that transition into adulthood.  

Get started by checking out JA Be Entrepreneurial®, JA Entrepreneurial Mindset®, and JA Financial Literacy®, which meets Wisconsin high school financial literacy graduation requirements.  

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Have a great photo or testimonial from a JA program or event? 

At Junior Achievement we’re always looking to hear from teachers, students, schools, and communities impacted by what we do at JA. Your feedback is important in how we deliver our programs, but it’s just as important to the foundations and businesses that make our programs possible through their financial support. Help us show our funders how we’re making a difference in our communities! Contact us now.  

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Image caption: STEAM SUMMER CAMPS

Immersive Construction Teen Summer Camp 

Junior Achievement, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin–Stout, offers an immersive, hands-on summer camp for teens 14-18 that combines real-world skills with meaningful community impact. The camp is a great opportunity for teens looking to build a future in the construction industry or just get some valuable experience in building. 

 
Teens utilize real tools, tackle creative challenges, and collaborate on problem-solving activities in lab and workshop settings. Beyond the classroom, there are fun enrichment and developmental activities. There is even a residential camp option for the full college-life experience where students stay in a campus dormitory, participate in evening activities, and enjoy included meals. 

Register Now or contact us for more information on how to sponsor.