Establishing a new company is never easy even for the most astute business-minded entrepreneurs. The Junior Achievement (JA) Company programme attempts to make this process smooth sailing for public and private high school students who are matched up with trained business advisors to develop locally made products that can be created and sold to consumers. It is a unique opportunity that trains students in the skills required to start and operate a successful business.
Deshae Cann, 17, a St. Ignatius Catholic School student, enjoyed his JA experience.
“I learned teamwork, communication, and organisation. We did a lot of custom orders, so time management was important as well. We faced challenges finding the materials, but once we got into the group, we became friends fast, and it was easy for us to work together.”
JA student Saraia Moore, a Cayman Prep & High School student, also gained a lot from her position as President of JA Company, Interlocked: “The experience of Junior Achievement as a whole is very insightful for me –learning the ins and outs of starting a business, and the actual difficulties of it – we always think of pursuing our dreams and not about the challenges we are going to face sometimes,” she said.
Deshae and Saria and more than 80 students celebrated and shared stories of their JA Company experience during an awards ceremony at the Marriott on Saturday, 20th April.
Sponsors provide funding, locations where the students meet, and volunteer advisors, offer practical guidance and coaching.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to our students, whose innovative company projects and relentless pursuit of excellence inspire us all,” said Chamber President Joanne Lawson at the awards ceremony.
“Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. To our corporate sponsors, your generous support makes all this possible. You are not just investing in ‘projects’ but in the future of these young leaders. And to our volunteer advisors, we know there were nights when you didn’t feel like taking on the responsibility of a JA advisor, but please know and recognise that your guidance, experience, and unwavering dedication are the backbone of the achievements we celebrate tonight.”
Chamber CEO Wil Pineau serves as the President of the JA Board. He expressed his appreciation to everyone involved with the relaunch of the JA Company programme in Grand Cayman which had been interrupted due to the pandemic.
“Our collective goal through JA is to mold students into the innovators and leaders of tomorrow, equipping them with the skills and mindset to drive our community forward. The success stories we witness each year are proof that when given the tools and support, our youth can exceed expectations and create promising futures not only for themselves but for all of us.”
Chamber President Lawson and Programme Coordinator Swan Sandoval presented the awards to the following students and JA Companies:
• Female Achiever of the Year: Jada Myles, John Gray High School
• Male Achiever of the Year: Nathaniel Lord, St. Ignatius Catholic High School
• Salesperson of the Year: Laila Yusuf, Cayman International School
• Public Relations Officer of the Year: Lewis Wilks, John Gray High School
• Human Resources Officer of the Year: Arianna McKayle, John Gray High School
• Finance Officer of the Year: Joshua Scotland, Cayman Prep & High School
• Marketing Officer of the Year: Megha Cherayath, St. Ignatius Catholic School
• Production Officer of the Year: Suwayne Watson, Layman E. Scott High School.
• and President of the Year: Jenese Simms, Cayman Prep & High School
• Pat Randall Award: Natalya Martin, Calvert Academy Homeschooling
• Product of the Year Award: Crafted Limited.
• Company of the Year: Cutting Edge.
Public and private schools participating in the JA Company programme were:
• Calvert Academy Homeschooling
• Cayman Academy
• Cayman International School
• Cayman Prep & High School
• Clifton Hunter High School
• Enlightium Homeschool Academy
• John Gray High School
• New Gate Montessori Global Campus
• St. Ignatius Catholic School
• Triple C School
• Williamsburg Homeschool Academy
• Homeschool Cayman
• Layman E. Scott High School
The following sponsors were also recognised for their contributions to the JA Company programme. Sponsor companies included:
• Cayman Airways
• MUFG
• Dart
• CITCO
• Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
• Cayman Brac Rotary Club/Moses Kirkconnell, MP
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[email protected]
About the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce: The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce represents more than 650 businesses and associations across all industry sectors, supports, promotes and protects the interests of its members and the public welfare and serves as a catalyst for positive change connecting community, business and government.
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