From Designing Apps to Throwing Graduation Caps

Seniors from Northview High School are counting down the days to their high school graduation. For some, starting a new chapter seems daunting, but not for these three 3DE graduates. Ayaan Nabi, Baasin Nabi, and Abhinav Surapaneni have been ready for the real world since their Junior year.

During a student's third year of 3DE, they are challenged to create their own business from scratch. Some decide to share their heritage through food, while others help warm your home with candles and other goods. However, these three young men wanted to raise the bar. After a few focus groups with teachers, the trio decided to develop an app to help students find an extra-curricular activity. With Northview's plethora of offerings, decision fatigue and finding the right club can be difficult for a new student.

With the mission to aid their fellow Titans, Ayaan, Baasin, and Abhinav began to plan their app. The primary challenge they encountered was determining how to develop it. In the initial stages, the trio sketched out the interface designs. During their presentations to community members, they had the fortune of meeting Chris Kampf, CEO of Venuiti and an active volunteer for JA of Georgia. Chris was impressed by the app's purpose but noted the boys lacked the resources to bring it to fruition. Kampf offered his services. Thanks to his generosity, the app was on track to be available for download.

Kampf worked very closely with the students and as the school year began to draw to a close, Kampf saw an opportunity. Baasin Nabi was offered a summer internship with Chris Kampf's company. With a fresh app on their phones and their last year of 3DE and high school ahead of them, Ayaan, Baasin, and Abhinav had already begun to build their resumes. During a senior's 3DE year, they are paired with a company to complete a consultancy. Ayaan spent the year with New Horizon, where they tackled the food industry. While Baasim and Surapaneni both worked with Deloitte, they handled different solutions. Baasim tackled solutions for producers of medical and drug equipment, Abhinav worked on developing business growth with aid from smaller tech companies.

As graduation approaches, Ayaan Nabi will be delving into Biopsychology at Georgia State University, while Baasim Nabi sets his sights on a medical career, embarking on a pre-med biological engineering journey at the University of Georgia. Abhinav Surapaneni, on the other hand, aims to immerse himself in the realm of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Finally, their reflections extend to the impactful guidance provided by mentors and volunteers, with Chris Kampf standing out as a beacon of support and mentorship. Ayaan acknowledges the transformation from introversion to confidence, attributing it to the mentorship received, while Baasim and Abhinav express heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support and expertise that propelled their projects forward, shaping their journey within 3DE and beyond.

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.