June 26, 2026
MILWAUKEE, Wis.— Brayden Reagan and Chase O’Brien from McFarland High School and Michael Jones and Aaron Vruwink of Aquinas High School in La Crosse beat out finalists from across the country to secure their place in the top ten among dozens of teams from across the nation that competed for a spot in a national high school business skills challenge in Boston.
The JA Titan® Business Challenge is part of Future BoundTM by Junior Achievement, held at Boston University in Boston, MA, showcasing the talents and achievements of young entrepreneurs and innovators nationwide. The event featured four dynamic competitions, each highlighting the ingenuity and creativity of over 300 students.
The annual 3-day event is led by some of the nation’s most prominent names in business innovation and entrepreneurship and features immersive learning experiences that connect students with mentors, industry professionals and real-world opportunities. Paired with the national competitions are workshops led by national experts providing real-world insights and critical skills around finances, entrepreneurship and career pathways.
The half-day national JA Titan competition pitted state champions from high schools across the country against one another in a high-intensity, 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, including production levels, marketing, pricing, research and development, capital improvements and corporate social responsibility.
The JA Titan Business Challenge and JA Titan curriculum, originally developed in Wisconsin, are used by Junior Achievement providers across the nation. JA programs support national and state standards in reading, mathematics, social studies, and work and career readiness. “With student feedback, educator guidance, and corporate partners across Wisconsin like Acuity, Kwik Trip, Miller Electric, Landmark Credit Union, Lycon, Inc., and Johnson Financial, the legacy of Wisconsin’s place among the national winners of JA Titan will hopefully continue for many years to come,” said Kelly Cieslak, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on lessons that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Junior Achievement is expanding its reach to 18-to-25-year-olds to provide young adults with critical life skills. Since 2021, more than 14,000 Junior Achievement volunteers have taught JA life skills to 340,000 Wisconsin students. For more information, visit Wisconsin.ja.org.
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