appy New Year! I know I’m ready for a fresh start—how about you? And speaking of starting fresh, one demographic that is still paying an unknown price for the ongoing pandemic is our youth. Along with average, daily social interactions that most of us didn’t think much about pre-pandemic, young people the world over have missed out on some of life’s most momentous and memorable events: prom, graduation, clubs like drama and debate, performances, and sports events. Parents around the world have been racking their brains to concoct clever ways to give their children some semblance of “normalcy” as they bounce back and forth between home and virtual schooling, but parents can’t give their kids a football scholarship or the feeling of walking across a stage in front of their peers to receive a high school diploma. There are some things that just can’t be replicated.

For Junior Achievement (JA) of Alaska, 2020 seemed to be on a mission diametrically opposed to its own quest to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Each year JA provides experiential learning opportunities to some 12,000 Alaskan students in grades K-12 with the help of hundreds of volunteers from the business community. Their hard work (both students and volunteers) has been recognized at JA’s annual Alaska Business Hall of Fame gala held each January for more than three decades. The banquet is also the organization’s biggest fundraiser, so making the decision to place it on hiatus in 2020 was not only disappointing but, practically speaking, could have severe financial consequences for the program.

But like they always do, the Alaska business community stepped up and local leaders raised more than $130,000 to help JA to continue to serve students in Alaska during COVID-19.

“The Alaska Business Hall of Fame is Junior Achievement of Alaska’s single-largest fundraiser, and we are grateful for the business community’s support,” says Flora Teo, president of Junior Achievement of Alaska. “Students are in need of practical money management skills, lessons on getting a job, and starting a business to empower them to own their economic success post-COVID.”

She says the organization served nearly 2,200 students in Alaska during spring school closures, and thanks to the support of the business community, is on target to serve 10,000 students this year.

We are delighted to support JA’s efforts with our annual special section honoring those who donate their time and talents to enriching the lives of Alaska’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Make sure to read about this year’s laureates, nominated for elevating the educational landscape for youth in their communities with regard to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work-readiness.

JA’s incredibly important work in Alaska will need additional financial support to continue to provide programs to students this year. To make a donation, visit and click ‘Donate’. Every bit helps.