JA Is Really Newsworthy!
Give them the power to pursue their dreams
Our Blog
Volunteer Spotlight: Laurie Wahlert – 25+ Years of Inspiring Students with Financial Literacy
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
For over 25 years, Laurie Wahlert has been a dedicated Junior Achievement (JA) volunteer, using her 30 years of banking experience to bring financial literacy to students. She first started volunteering in Iowa City and continues to make an impact, teaching 4th Grade JA Our Region while utilizing Volunteer Time Off (VTO) from MidWestOne Bank’s 1st Avenue location to give back to her...
Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Reynolds
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Tim Reynolds, an IT professional with GreenState Credit Union, has been a dedicated Junior Achievement volunteer for six years. Inspired by his wife’s career as a kindergarten teacher, he has taught various JA programs, helping students understand real-world financial and career concepts. Tim enjoys the interactive nature of JA lessons and the lasting impact they have on students. His advice to...
4th Graders Explore Future Careers at Career Exploration Fair
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
The Career Exploration Fair, held today at the CRCSD Educational Leadership and Support Center, gave Cedar Rapids Community School District 4th graders a hands-on introduction to various career paths. Hosted in partnership with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI), the event featured 15-20 interactive stations where industry professionals showcased real-world skills and equipment.
Students...
QTS Data Supports Local Students with $30,000 Donation to Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
QTS Data Centers has donated $30,000 to Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa to support financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs for local students. As a new business in the area, QTS is demonstrating a strong commitment to community investment and youth education. This generous contribution will help JAEI equip students with essential skills for future...
3DE™ Students Engage with Iowa Leaders to Share Their Impact
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
On January 28, 3DE™ by Junior Achievement students had the exciting opportunity to engage with Iowa leaders and share how the program is transforming their education. A group of students traveled to the Iowa State Capitol for Educator Day on the Hill, where they spoke with legislators about the impact of 3DE™ and the importance of hands-on, project-based learning. Meanwhile, Governor Kim Reynolds...
Call for Nominations: 2025 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Business Hall of Fame events: the Corridor event on September 18th (26th Annual) and the Cedar Valley event on October 30th (31st Annual). These events honor outstanding business leaders who have shaped Eastern Iowa’s economy and communities. Three laureates and one entrepreneur will be selected for each event based on...
Cedar Rapids Community School District: January School District Spotlight
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is excited to feature the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) in our first School District Spotlight! A dedicated JA partner for over 25 years, CRCSD now implements JA programming district-wide, impacting 10,844 students across grades K-9 with hands-on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship...
Celebrating a Year of Impact: Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa’s 2023-2024 Annual Report
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, we are proud to reflect on another incredible year of empowering students with financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship education. Our 2023-2024 Annual Report showcases the lasting impact we’ve made together with our volunteers, educators, and...
High-Stakes Trading Meets High-Energy Competition: Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Hosts 2025 Stock Market Challenge
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is bringing back the 6th Annual JA Stock Market Challenge on April 24, 2025, at the Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids. This exciting, fast-paced simulation lets students and corporate teams experience the thrill of stock trading in a risk-free, high-energy environment.
How It Works: Participants start with a hypothetical $500,000 portfolio and navigate...
3DE™ Educator Spotlight: Madie Hilbert
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa highlights Madie Hilbert, an English teacher at the 9th Grade Center in the College Community School District, for her contributions to the transformative 3DE™ instructional model. This innovative program connects classroom learning to real-world experiences through case-based challenges, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving...
