ttending Junior Achievement of Alaska Biz Kids Summer Camp this summer was an incredible experience for me. Before camp, I had the opportunity to participate in JA in a Day at my former elementary school and learned about financial literacy in a fun and engaging way. The camp allowed me to meet with kids my age from other schools across the city and opened our eyes to the world of business.

My idea was called Get Sporty, a unique retail and entertainment experience where you can try on and test out sports gear. From softball and baseball to skiing and snowboarding, my store would offer a variety of products and allow customers to test out their gear and make their purchase.

Through hands-on activities and lessons at camp, I learned about finance, entrepreneurship, profits, and investing. JA Biz Camp felt like school—but better. We created posters to help judges visualize our ideas and pitched our businesses for a chance to win $50 for our startup.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was what it means to be an entrepreneur: someone who builds a business from the ground up. That idea really stuck with me and made me excited about my future.

I am incredibly grateful to all the businesses and donors who support JA programs. Whether I am participating in JA in a Day or attending Biz Camp, your support is helping shape my education and giving me the tools for financial literacy and business ownership.