My experience with Junior Achievement began in elementary school. I remember having several JA volunteers visit throughout the years. Those days always felt different — they were interactive, energizing, and created space to learn real-world skills in a way traditional lessons didn’t. I always looked forward to JA days.
 
One of my core childhood memories is our trip to Exchange City (now called Junior Achievement BizTown). Stepping into that miniature community for the day felt like stepping into the real world. I worked in the music shop, making instruments like rainmakers that we “sold” as part of running our little business. It might seem simple, but that day was unforgettable. It allowed me to visualize what it might feel like “to grow up” — to have a job, work with others, and contribute to a community. That experience stayed with me.
 
Those early JA lessons planted seeds I didn’t fully appreciate until much later. They taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and personal responsibility. They gave me an early foundation in financial literacy — something that is so essential and yet so often missing in traditional education. Junior Achievement filled a real gap and helped me enter adulthood with more confidence and clarity.
 
JA gave me an early understanding of how communities and businesses work, how to collaborate with others, and why financial literacy matters. Those foundational ideas didn’t immediately translate into career decisions, but they created a sense of confidence and curiosity that helped me navigate new environments later in life. The impact of JA wasn’t about specific job skills — it was about shaping how I approached opportunities, challenges, and the world around me.
 
That’s why I eventually chose to return to JA — this time as a classroom volunteer. Walking back into a classroom as an adult brought everything full circle. I saw students light up with the same sense of possibility I remembered feeling. Being part of those “aha” moments, where students experience something hands-on and begin picturing their own futures, is incredibly rewarding. Volunteering with JA isn’t just about giving back. It’s about investing in the next generation and honoring the program that played a role in shaping me.
 
Junior Achievement gave me experiences I’ll never forget — and now I’ve helped create those experiences for others.
 Micaela Booth - JA Alumni & Volunteer