From Doughnuts to Dollars: Krispy Kreme's Sweet Surprise to Clear Creek Sixth-Graders

Sixth-graders from Gilmer County embarked on an exciting educational journey to the JA Discovery Center of Greater Dalton, immersing themselves in the vibrant world of JA BizTown. This innovative program, designed specifically for sixth graders by Junior Achievement, offers a unique blend of hands-on learning and real-world experiences, allowing students to step into the shoes of professionals, collaborate as a team, explore local governance, and gain insights into the mechanics of an economy, all while having fun!

But the journey doesn't begin with the arrival of the school bus—it starts in the classroom, guided by passionate educators like Aimee Milton, Ed.S., a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Clear Creek Middle School. Aimee diligently prepared her students for their upcoming adventure by delving into the JA curriculum, covering essential topics from business loans to taxes, supply and demand dynamics, resume building, how to interview for a job, and beyond.

Infusing her lessons with real-world examples, Aimee sparked her students' curiosity and fostered connections to the world around them. From using Krispy Kreme as an example to grasp the concept of sales tax to igniting discussions that extended far beyond the classroom walls. Aimee shared, "I asked the students when they buy a doughnut from Krispy Kreme, 'Was it $3 or $3.10?' Students would say, 'Ohh!' They were making the connection from the lesson to the real world." Aimee's dedication to making learning engaging and relevant paid off. Students even started using Krispy Kreme as an example when asking questions during the lesson.

As the date approached for Clear Creek Middle School's visit to the JA Discovery Center of Greater Dalton, Amy couldn't resist sharing the heartwarming story of Krispy Kreme's role in their journey with the Greater Dalton JA staff. The response was nothing short of spectacular. Rosa Cuna, Director of JA Discovery Center Experience, reached out to their local Krispy Kreme, and the result was a delightful surprise—a generous donation of enough doughnuts to treat every student.

On Monday, April 22, 2024, the excitement among the sixth-grade students from Clear Creek Middle School was palpable. The students were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected treat from Krispy Kreme. These students weren't just enjoying a sweet indulgence; they were also digesting vital lessons in financial literacy and civic responsibility. Through the immersive experience provided by Junior Achievement of Georgia and the dedication of educators like Aimee Milton, these students were equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the modern economy, all while having a blast.

JA Worldwide Nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

We’re proud to announce that JA Worldwide has been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, our third nomination in three years. JA of Georgia is a member of JA Worldwide.

Nobel Peace Prize nominations may be received from heads of state, certain elected officials and cabinet members, university professors in selected fields, past Nobel laureates, and other notable individuals, as laid out by the Nobel Nominating Committee. A number of eligible nominators approached us about nominating JA Worldwide and, although the identity of each nominee officially remains anonymous for 50 years, we were thrilled to have been given evidence that we were nominated this year.

Founded 105 years ago, JA is one of the largest youth-serving NGOs in the world, delivering over 17 million student learning experiences for employment and entrepreneurship last year. Operating in over 100 countries, JA teaches youth to develop the skillset and mindset to create businesses, find meaningful employment, and build healthy cities and towns. As a result of what they learn through JA, students develop ambitions beyond their own economic reward, understanding that entrepreneurship is not only a means to financial wellbeing for themselves and their families but also a vehicle to foster social stability and inclusive societies. JA students and alumni create and lead companies that offer products and services that fill a consumer need; enable an ecosystem of employees, partners, and suppliers to thrive; and also fundamentally transform the world, or at least their small corner of it.

Starting with our second nomination in 2023 and continuing through today, JA staff members throughout the world have begun working toward a collective goal: living up to the promise of Alfred Nobel’s vision. These nominations are changing us, forcing us to ask, “What is JA doing globally to empower young people to build a more peaceful society?” For over a century, JA has operated in areas of political instability, violence, and war, helping youth build entrepreneurship skills and economic resilience. By creating opportunity, prosperity, and self-belief, our work helps youth develop the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. And we’re ready to move even further into our peace directive, empowering young people to become global citizens, develop civic-engagement skills, and nurture cross-border friendships from a young age.

Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide, was thrilled to hear that JA has been nominated again this year for our work with young people. “A lack of economic agency and a lack of hope lead to instability. Education and economic empowerment lead to prosperity and peace. JA prepares young people to see themselves as future job creators, leaders, and innovators who can actively contribute to the economic prosperity of their communities. This is the path to peace.”

Between 1901 and 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to 141 laureates, including 111 individuals and 30 organizations. Among those 30 organizations is another nonprofit from the annual list of the top ten social-good organizations, Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. UNICEF, another youth-serving NGO, was awarded the prize in 1965, after being nominated for several years.