This is a great Junior Achievement love story shared by a former JA student. Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. We love our JA supporters and volunteers!
It was 1960-1961. I was in high school. My mom suggested I join Junior Achievement to learn more about how a business is run (JA Company Program®). So my friend Marc and I came to the first meeting and joined up.
It was here that we created a small company, sold stocks (mostly to relatives) and produced a product that we sold from door to door (bubble bath). Did it make any money? Not really (though we had some value for our stock at the end of the year). We did learn about obtaining raw materials, manufacturing and selling a product. It was a powerful way to have hands-on experience. Not just talk, but actually doing.
During this time I met a girl named Lorrie (who was also a member of Junior Achievement) and we started dating. Eventually we married in 1966 (Marc was our best man) and Lorrie and I are taking a cruise in the coming week to celebrate 45 years of marriage.
What is so interesting is that the company that was created in 1960 in Junior Achievement was guided by two people (I can only remember one name … Mr. Metz) who worked for, of all places, Amoco.
And, here, today, I see BP is still involved in Junior Achievement.
Do I remember much about High School? Not really. Do I remember much about Junior Achievement? You bet. Just a great experience. Nice people. Fun learning.
To all the volunteers: You are working with children and teaching them values that they will live with the rest of their lives. My wife Lorrie, my friend Marc and I will never forget our experiences at Junior Achievement.