Junior Achievement of Western MA

A summer job is more than a paycheck, it’s often a young person’s first step toward independence, confidence, and career readiness.

Through hands-on experiences, students learn how to communicate, problem-solve, manage responsibility, and navigate the workplace, skills that last far beyond the summer season.

At Junior Achievement, we’re helping prepare students for those opportunities and the future ahead.

When education and industry come together, students benefit most.

JA’s partnerships help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, preparing young people to succeed in a changing economy.

This week, more than 200 students from 30 schools across Massachusetts came to the MassMutual Center to present thoughtful, well-researched projects on issues impacting their schools and communities, from artificial intelligence and substance use recovery to social media literacy, athletics, and school policy.

It was great to serve as a judge and engage with so many talented young people who are already making their voices heard. When students are encouraged to participate in civic life and included in conversations about the future of their schools and communities, we all benefit.

Thank you to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the educators, organizers, and students who made the showcase possible.

🌟 Celebrating Our EnTEENpreneur Teen Pitch Challenge Winners! 🌟
Today, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible winners of our EnTEENpreneur Teen Pitch Challenge, hosted by UMass Amherst at the Henry M. Thomas III Campus in Springfield! 🎉
A huge THANK YOU to our amazing panel of judges:
👏 Mychal Connolly Sr. – Stand Out Truck, Marketing & Cupcakes, and Audacy
👏 Samalid Hogan – Greylock Management Consulting
👏 Terrell Joyner – Charter Oak & The Consulting Web
👏 Amy McClain – Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship, UMass Amherst
👏 Roberto Nieves – Common Capital

Our young entrepreneurs were judged on a range of criteria, including:
✅ Clear identification of company name, school, product/service, and pricing
✅ A neat and attractive booth display
✅ Products and services showing craftsmanship, uniqueness, and ingenuity
✅ Salespeople who were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, polite, and professionally dressed
✅ Strong sales skills and the ability to close the deal1

🏆 PRIZES 🏆
🥇 First Place: $500
🥈 Second Place: $300
🥉 Third Place: $200
Special awards of trophies and $250 each also went to the teams with the Best Trade Fair Booth and the Most Innovative Product! 💡

We were proud to welcome talented students from:
🎓 Hampshire Regional High School
🎓 Holyoke High School
🎓 West Springfield Boys & Girls Club
🎓 Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy

Congratulations to all of our participants — the future of entrepreneurship is bright! 🚀

Congratulations to JAWM's president, Amie Miarecki, on her Board Member of the Year Award from the ERC5!

There were also outstanding awardees from local businesses at the annual meeting, including Carla Alves of Country Bank, Rich Merrifield of Freedom Credit Union, Tandem Bagel Company, Baystate Winair, and College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, and Rachel's Table.

Graduation marks the end of one chapter, and the beginning of a future filled with opportunity.

Junior Achievement helps ensure students cross that stage with the confidence and skills to turn their ambitions into action.