Junior Achievement: Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs, Leaders & Community Builders

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Lysa Hegland from Junior Achievement of the Heartland to explore how the organization is helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom.

Junior Achievement of the Heartland is celebrating 70 years of serving communities across Iowa and Illinois. Today, the organization reaches approximately 63,000 students across 24 counties, including more than 1,200 students at 12 schools throughout the Sauk Valley.

Lysa explains how programs like JA BizTown, JA Inspire, Stock Market Challenge, and JA Titan give students hands-on opportunities to learn about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, business, careers, and community involvement.

The conversation also covers the importance of community volunteers, how teachers and parents can advocate for Junior Achievement programs in their schools, and ways local businesses and community members can get involved.

🎉 Junior Achievement of the Heartland 70th Anniversary Celebration
📅 October 8, 2026
📍 JA BizTown and Finance Park

The anniversary celebration will give community members an opportunity to experience Junior Achievement firsthand and see how its hands-on programs help students develop real-world skills.

Learn more about Junior Achievement of the Heartland, volunteer opportunities, curriculum, sponsorships, and upcoming events at heartland.ja.org.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online

🎤 Highlights:

00:00 – Welcome to Along the Rock

00:35 – What Is Junior Achievement?

01:24 – Preparing Students for Real Life

02:06 – Learning Through Hands-On Experiences

02:41 – Celebrating 70 Years of Junior Achievement

04:10 – Junior Achievement in the Sauk Valley

05:29 – JA BizTown: Running a Business as a Student

06:50 – JA Inspire & Career Exploration

08:08 – Stock Market Challenge & Titan Competition

09:39 – Could Adults Get the JA Experience?

10:28 – How Students & Schools Can Get Involved

12:13 – Volunteers Bringing Learning to Life

13:06 – How the Community Can Support JA

14:20 – Free Curriculum for Teachers

15:10 – Upcoming Events & Opportunities

15:34 – 70th Anniversary Celebration

16:02 – Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

16:18 – Closing Thoughts

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