Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) and Junior Achievement (JA) showed its appreciation by hosting its Eighth Annual Junior Achievement Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Eagles Club Tuesday. The 50 volunteers who taught 55 JA classes during the 2017-2018 school year helped 1,155 students learn more about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work-readiness skills.
Because of these volunteers, kindergarten students were able to participate in the program called “Ourselves” and learn about individual choices and the importance of saving and giving, and the value of work. First grade students participated in the program called “Our Families” and learned how family members’ jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and of the community. Second grade students participated in “Our Communities” and learned about taxes, decision-making, and the economy. Third grade students participated in “Our City” and learned about economic exchange and money management by people and cities. Fifth grade students participated in “Our Nation” and learned about the need for employees who can meet the demands of the 21st century job market, particularly high-growth, high-demand jobs. Sixth grade students participated in “It’s My Future” and learned about preparing for the working world through career clusters, high-growth jobs, career planning, and creating a personal brand.
Seventh grade students participated in “Economics for Success” and learned how to build strong personal finances and the importance of exploring career options based on their skills, interests, and values. They also learned about spending money within a budget; saving and investing wisely; and using credit cautiously.
Volunteers with five or more years of volunteering were the following: Brenda Bartz (Tomahawk Community Bank), Matt Boyle (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Jim Brickner (Brickner’s Park City), Tricia Fox (Lincoln Community Bank), Alexandra Hartinger (Modern Nutrition), Anita Holman (Park City Credit Union), D’Lacey Haight (Merrill Ace Hardware), Bruce Iattoni (Skare & Associates), Barb Iwen (Retired), John Kilgust (Retired), Dana Laher (Church Mutual Insurance Company, Linda Murray (Murray & Associates), Mark Steinberg (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Buck Steiniger (Retired), Desirae Thomaschefsky (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Mary Ann Van Der Geest (Retired), and Raegan Zuelsdorff (OptumRx).
Volunteers who had less than five years of volunteering were the following: Mark Bares (Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes), Jennifer Berreth (Merrill Area Public Schools), Christa Christiansen (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Darcy Dalsky (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Clint Golisch (Interflex Group), Danielle Green (Park City Credit Union), April Hallas (Reindl Printing), Kelly Hirn (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Patricia Hughes (Associated Bank), Rebecca Hunter (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Kristin Jacobson (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Rebecca Kimmons (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Carrie Klinger (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Eric Klug (Klug’s Country Gold), Abbie Lange (Lincoln Community Bank), Cassandra Lieble (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Kathy McDonough (R.A.J. Services), Clyde Nelson (Lincoln Community Bank), Leah Nelson (Associated Bank), Justin Peters (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Heather Pophal (American Family Insurance Agency), Rhonda Pozorski (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Mitch Radtke (Entrepreneur), Sonya Ropson (Interflex Group), Susan Ryman (River Valley Bank), William Schultz (Lee’s Piggly Wiggly), Jill Servi (JAMPS Strategic Insights), Meg Shortridge (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Michael Spoon (Church Mutual Insurance Company), Lindsey Urban (Walmart), Darla Vachavake (Retired), Rachel Winter (R.A.J. Services), and Shannon Worlin (Church Mutual Insurance Company).
Since the pilot program days in 2010-2011 with 15 classes and 14 volunteers, JA is now being offered to almost every kindergarten through seventh grade student throughout the district. In addition, a personal financial literacy class is a requirement at the high school. Each element of the program helps students prepare for their productive roles in society.
“Without the support of the businesses donations and the volunteers teaching the classes, Junior Achievement would not be possible in the Merrill community,” said program coordinator Carrie Pierschalla. “The premise of the program is bringing business, community, and education together to teach the students. Educators cannot do it alone. It is a commitment by everyone, and in this case, businesses pay for the programs, volunteers teach the programs, and teachers provide the classrooms and the students.”
To learn more about JA go to www.ja.org. For information about becoming a volunteer, contact Carrie Pierschalla at [email protected].