Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio is in the mood to celebrate after 50 years in business.
Since 1964, Akron teens have learned about free enterprise by forming companies, selling stock, electing officers, making and marketing products and keeping books.
The national nonprofit group traces its origin to Springfield, Mass., in 1919, but Akron was the only city its size without a chapter during the early 1960s.
JA groups already were bustling in Barberton, Rittman, Orrville, Wadsworth, Hudson and Medina before Akron officially got on board.
In late 1963, Sam Stites, vice president and division manager of Ohio Edison Co., was named chairman of a committee to bring JA to town. A month later, he became the first president of the fledgling branch.
The first order of business was to raise $25,000 from business and industry to get the youth program started.
William M. Jones, president of Cleveland Machine Controls, spoke at a University Club luncheon in 1964 to launch the fund drive. Jones said the purpose of the JA program was “to combat creeping socialism and ignorance,” and urged local businesses to support the campaign as “an investment in the future.”
The financial goal was reached by April. Robert P. Bunn was named executive director of the Akron group.
By June, 10 companies agreed to participate: Alside Inc., Burt Manufacturing Co., Chrysler Corp., East Ohio Gas Co., First National Bank, General Tire, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Ohio Edison and Sohio.
Wright Bronson Jr., president of Bronson & Co., succeeded Stites as president, and JA set up a business center at 68 W. Exchange St. in a former warehouse.
In October 1964, high school students organized 19 businesses. Adult advisers from local companies supplied expertise on accounting, sales and production. Meetings were held one night a week during the school year.
In January 1965, the kids proudly displayed their products at a trade fair in Polsky’s store. After six months, the corporations were liquidated. Whether the businesses succeeded or failed, boys and girls gained a better understanding of free enterprise.
About 400 teens participated that first year under the guidance of 60 adult mentors. The program grew and grew, adding in-school programs as well as after-school meetings.
Today, Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio covers Ashland, Coshocton, Crawford, Holmes, Knox, Marion, Medina, Morrow, Portage, Summit, Richland and Wayne counties. Last school year, the JA chapter oversaw 1,067 programs taught by 907 volunteers to 22,720 students in 166 schools.
The chapter has formed a new group — Alumni & Friends of Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio — so past participants can share stories. For more information, go to www.jaofnco.ja.org, LinkedIn or Facebook.
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. JA alumni and supporters will reminisce about the past and discuss the future. For tickets, $50, call 330-434-1875.