Are you a former or current Junior Achievement (JA) volunteer in the Bismarck, Mandan or surrounding communities who was involved when it was first organized in the early 1990’s? Are you an adult who had the chance to receive JA in one of your classrooms when you were growing up? As a teacher, did you have the opportunity to have JA in your classroom?
Junior Achievement of Bismarck- Mandan is seeking former JA volunteers, educators and students, to discover the impact JA made on their life.
“Do you remember your JA classes …

Organization urges adults to go back to school alongside students
As kids head back to school in eager pursuit of new friends, good grades, and extra-curriculars, now it the time for parents to reflect upon their own contributions to family and community. It seems like we all have less time, but this fall may be a good time to assess opportunities to volunteer.
What better way to help shape our nation’s future than by personally investing in our children’s education? Although the Bismarck-Mandan educational system is worth heavy accolades, there are a …

At no time in recent history has the need for financial literacy and economic education been more evident than it is now. From the Federal Government scratching its head over a smart financial strategy to the college freshmen wondering how to make ends meet, the ability to understand economics is universal.
Junior Achievement of Bismarck- Mandan is a local non-profit with a mission to educate youth about the importance of financial savvy. The program equips local volunteers with the tools they need to enter Bismarck- Mandan schools and inspire youth to …

Junior Achievement (JA) hosted its annual JA Casino Night on Friday, May 20. More than 150 people attended the non-profit’s major fundraiser, which was hosted at Apple Creek Country Club.
Participants tried their luck at pull tabs, poker, blackjack and roulette. The night produced a fair amount of “millionaires” and all players cashed in at the evening’s end for tickets to play the bucket auction.
Digitally Yours Photo Booth was there to give the attendees a chance to dress up and have their pictures taken in the photo booth. A portion of …

The Junior Achievement (JA) Wrap Up was held May 10 at the Bismarck- Mandan Chamber. The event is hosted each year and is intended to share the program’s reach and impact on area students, as well as success stories. Additionally, volunteers and teachers are recognized for their contributions to the program.
JA Program Director Sally Paulson, along with JA Chairman Keith Schmaltz presented the following 2010-11 statistics:
1st Grade- 55 students
2nd Grade- 149 students
3rd Grade- 737 students
4th Grade- 515 students
5th Grade- 650 students
6th Grade- 472 students
9th Grade- 634 students
11th and 12th Grade- …

Saturday, Feb. 12 marked the 6th Annual JA Monopoly Tournament. The fundraiser, which was hosted at Dorothy Moses Elementary in Bismarck, attracted more than 100 players who had the chance to see how the game of Monopoly relates to real life situations and financial decisions.
“Even though this is a game, the younger players start to make the connection between buying and selling and money management and how it aff ects their real life,” said event organizer and JA Director Sally Paulson.
Mr. Monopoly Jon Simmers served as the official emcee. He …

Capital Credit Union pledged support of the Junior Achievement (JA) program by donating $7500 to the non-profit.
“Capital Credit Union’s generous support will allow JA to continue teaching area youth about the economics, finances and entrepreneurism,” said JA Program Director Sally Paulson. “Their gift in particular is allotted to the education of local middle school students through our NEFE curriculum.”
JA’s NEFE Financial Planning Program introduces students to the importance of making wise financial decisions. The program demonstrates the importance of planning, goal setting, and thoughtful decision-making within the context of personal …

Junior Achievement of Bismarck- Mandan (JA) is growing by leaps and bounds, and needs the community’s help to meet classroom requests. Volunteers are needed to guide readymade curriculum for the following programs in Bismarck-Mandan: 3rd Grade-Our City; 4th Grade-Our Region; 5th Grade-Our Nation; 6th Grade-Global Marketplace; and 9th Grade-NEFE Financial Planning Program.
Volunteers do not need to be a teacher to present the materials, just a willingness to support the economic education of area youth and the desire to bring real-life experience to a classroom. To learn more about JA and …

Did you know that any contributions made to the Junior Achievement (JA) program in Bismarck-Mandan are now tax deductible? JA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Financial contributions help administer curriculum that teaches students about business, economics and free enterprise to more than 3500 students in Bismarck-Mandan schools.
Although local donations benefit the Bismarck-Mandan chapter, JA’s reach is worldwide. In fact, JA Worldwide is the largest organization dedicated to teaching youth the key concepts of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. It was established in 1919 and is taught by volunteers in …

The Best Buy Children’s Foundation recently donated $10,000 to Junior Achievement of Bismarck-Mandan (JA). Brian Maciej (second from left), general manager of Bismarck’s Best Buy, presented the check to JA Director Sally Paulson along with other JA board members. The funds will be used to support and expand the program to local youth in an effort to expand their economic, entrepreneurial and financial education.