At their latest council meeting, Kalona Mayor Mark Robe issued a proclamation for Thursday, April 3rd to be recognized as Junior Achievement (JA) Day. Junior Achievement of the Heartland and Eastern Iowa, based in Iowa City, serves the Washington County area. Robe talked with KCII News about why this is an important youth program in the community, “Junior Achievement is amazing. I think it’s great for the kids. We always encourage Junior Achievement. We’re very proud to support the programs that invest in youth and prepare the next generation of leaders. That’s what it’s all about! It’s important. I support anything that helps kids get further ahead in life and Junior Achievement is a great way for that to happen.”

Recently, JA has provided courses on financial literacy, work and career readiness, entrepreneurship, and more, to local school districts in Washington County.