Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Holds Its First-Ever JA Virtual State Business Challenge®

Author: Elijah Haase
Entrepreneurship
Published: Monday, 01 Jun 2020

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MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – Junior Achievement of Wisconsin (JA) held its first-ever JA Virtual State Business Challenge on May 21, 2020 with 39 students from 16 Wisconsin high schools competing for college scholarships. The JA Business Challenge, sponsored by Acuity, provides virtual hands-on experience running a business. Statewide school closings due to COVID-19 initiated the transition of the JA Business Challenge to a virtual platform.

“When living rooms and dining rooms became classrooms, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin knew we could and wanted to provide important resources and opportunities for students, including the chance to participate in the JA Business Challenge,” said Michael Frohna, President, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. “These times are highly unusual, but young people still desire to create and prepare for their futures. Coming along side youth to help in these ways is a privilege for us.”

“Acuity has been proud to host the Junior Achievement Business Challenge at our headquarters for many years,” said Melissa Winter, Vice President, Business Consulting. “Although we can’t host an in-person event this year, we hope that our virtual support helps the business leaders of the future build skills that will lead to career success.”

The JA Business Challenge uses JA Titan®, a virtual business strategy simulation platform. Student teams make business decisions regarding price, production, marketing, capital investment, and research and development. Students compete in virtual companies and after several timed periods, teams with the highest performance index win. Students from the winning teams receive college scholarships.

Winners of the JA Virtual State Business Challenge

Acuity Championship Industry

First Place: David Kane, Maxwell Siepert, and Gunther Stroschin from Greenfield High School, Greenfield, Wis. in the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Metro Milwaukee Area.

Second Place: Bennett Hoppe, John Polster, and Mariah Yaghnam from Greenfield High School, Greenfield, Wis. in the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Metro Milwaukee Area.

Third Place: Frank Fetzer and Sebastian Nielsen from Boyceville High School, Boyceville, Wis. in the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Northwest Wisconsin Area.

Students from the winning teams will each receive: 1st place ($1,000), 2nd place ($500), 3rd place ($100 Kohl’s gift card), respectively.

Executive Industry

First Place: Andrew Bethke and Noah Stachovak from DC Everest Idea School, Weston, Wis. in the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Northcentral Wisconsin Area.

Students will each receive a $100 Kohl’s gift card.

Entrepreneur Industry

First Place: Elijah Koleske and Jackson Schipper from Appleton North High School, Appleton, Wis. in the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Winnebago Area.

Students will each receive a $100 Kohl’s gift card.