Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement’s vision is a work in which young people have the skill set and the mind set to build thriving communities.
On Thursday, November 6, Maryvale’s Introduction to Business class attended the Junior Achievement (JA) Leading Ladies event at Stanley Black and Decker. Ms. Ramsey and Ms. Mantler from Maryvale’s Mitchell Leadership Institute joined this 10th anniversary event. This year’s theme was “Tenacious Ambition.”
Maryvale students and teachers were dispersed at tables with students from 11 other schools in the area. Mentors joined from various businesses, including T. Rowe Price, Northrop Grumman, First Financial, State Farm, Whiting Turner, and more! This unique grouping allowed the students to learn from other perspectives and visit with other students and mentors.
“This is women empowerment because usually women are pushed aside and told you can’t do this job, you can’t do that but seeing these women and all the great things they’ve done is really empowering for me,” expressed Bella K. ’27. She added, “I can do hard things just like them.”
Throughout the morning, participants were challenged to take time to think about their futures by creating a vision board of potential careers. They heard from various leaders in the area, like Mary Ann Scully from Loyola University, Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations for the Orioles, Aisha Scott, VP for FNB Corporation, Kate Jones, VP DEWALT Human Resources, Kellie Montgomery VP of Industry Groups at The Whiting-Turning Contracting Company, Jenna Stakias, Founder and Podcaster from The True Empire, with moderation from Kelly Swoope (WMAR).
Notably, Maryvale’s own London Simons (JA Honoree ’26) spoke on the Junior Achievement 18 under 18 award and introduced a Q&A chat led by JA student Zion Parran.
The Maryvale students and teachers left feeling like the sky was truly the limit, empowered with new connections and knowledge.
