JA of Mahoning Valley Receives 5 Star Award

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley has been awarded Junior Achievement USA’s 5 Star Award.

The award is given to recognize staff and boards of JA areas that meet national standards in operational efficiency and through strong representation of the JA brand. Recipients must demonstrate growth in student impact and superior fiscal performance.

“The 5 Star Award winners represent the best Junior Achievement has to offer,” said Jack E. Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “They set the standard by which Junior Achievement’s success is measured at the local level.”

As an organization, JA understands that its effectiveness depends on how well local chapters deliver the organization’s financial literacy, work-readiness and entrepreneurship programs in the communities they serve.

“We are thrilled to be the only office in Ohio to receive the 5 Star Award,” said Michele Merkel, president of Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley. “We thank our more than 546 classroom volunteers and corporate partners who joined with our board of directors and staff to empower thousands of young people to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.”

“Achieving this honor is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our Junior Achievement staff, which enables the organization to impact the lives of so many students in our community,” added Ryan Pastore, president of the board for Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley board president and director of client and community relations at PNC Bank. “As we celebrate our centennial this year, this award sets the bar for the next 100 years.”

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