JA Alumni Spotlight - Lauryn Gregory

Author: Jordan Parker
Community Involvement
Published: Friday, 29 Jan 2021

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Image caption: Lauryn Gregory

In conjunction with JA Alumni month we recently had the pleasure to interview Lauryn Gregory, a JA Alumni who had JA programs in the classroom and participated at JA Exchange City/JA BizTown. During her first experience with JA at Hailey Elementary, she enjoyed having the volunteer come to her classroom. Lauryn explained that it was a change from her regular school day, and volunteers always had fun activities with interactive materials. After coming home, she recalled feeling very proud when her mom put the "JA Post Card Magnet" she brought home on the refrigerator. When asked if she had ever had the opportunity to reconnect with her JA volunteer, she said no. However, Lauryn wishes she could have done so and shared, "I think they would laugh knowing that I prayed and prayed not to be a banker when my class went to JA Exchange City/JA Biz Town and now, as an adult, I am a Relationship Banker."

Lauryn expressed, "Having someone come in and share their stories on how they decided what they wanted to be and some of the struggles they overcame made the JA experience meaningful." When asked what the most important thing she wants to share as a JA Alumni her response was, "Be grateful that as a student you had the opportunity to have Junior Achievement. Also, to give back the JA opportunity to young students as an adult volunteer".

While each student and volunteer have their own unique Junior Achievement experience, a resembling memory is how they greatly benefitted from their opportunity to participate!

Have you participated in JA Programs? If so, you're part of the JA Alumni community! Please sign up to join our new JA Alumni network, JA Together. This makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities, donate to the mission, and connect with more JA Alumni as we help inspire young people together!