JA Economics for Success 2011

October 13, 2011

Over 1,500 Springfield Freshman Complete Financial Literacy Program

(Springfield, MA, October 13, 2011) On Wednesday October 12^th local teachers, community volunteers, and students from Springfield College worked together to bring the Junior Achievement (JA) Program Economics for Success to over 1,500 students at The High School of Science and Technology and Springfield Central High School.

This year marks the fifth consecutive year that the program has been presented to the two schools. Economics for Success, sponsored in part by MassMutual Life Insurance Company, provides practical information about personal finance and the importance of identifying education and career goals based on a student's skills, interests, and values. It also demonstrates the economic benefits of staying in school. JA board member and owner of StinkyCakes.com, Mychal Connolly explains that he likes "the opportunity to help the youth explore potential career paths" and enjoyed "talking to them about business and life."

When asked what she liked best about her morning with a JA volunteer, one student from The High School of Science and Technology replied, "I liked [the way] they make you think more about your future and what to expect." Students from Springfield Central High School also commented that they enjoyed "learning about life after high school" and that the program "got [them] to start thinking about career exploration."

Other sponsors of the event include The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, The Horace Moses Foundation, Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation, Verizon Foundation, Hampden Savings Foundation, Webster Bank, and TD Bank Charitable Foundation.

Since 1919 Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts has been educating and inspiring young people to value the American free enterprise system. They teach kindergartners through high school seniors the importance of business and economics in improving the quality of their lives. JA programs focus on work readiness, career exploration, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. To learn more about the work of Junior Achievement, or for information on becoming a volunteer or donor please visit www.jawm.org or call 413-747-7670.

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