Local Business Owner Allan Hill Named JA-NEO's Volunteer of the Year

In recognition of his commitment and support, JA Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has announced that Allan Hill has been awarded Volunteer of the Year.

Since 2013, Allan has been an avid JA supporter and has volunteered his time and resources to a wide range of JA programs, including JA Days, JA Career Tour and World of Choices. Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

“On behalf of JA-NEO, I am honoured to recognize Allan for his ongoing contributions,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “From providing food and refreshments to sharing his business experience with students from across our region, his contributions have continued to make a positive impact and we are grateful for his support.”

Allan has worked for Domino’s Pizza for over 30 years and owns multiple franchise stores throughout the Peterborough area.

“As a volunteer, Allan has dedicated countless hours to programs that drive the success of youth in our region,” said McNutt. “He recognizes that we all have a role to play in helping the next generation progress on the road to success. Allan continues to be an outstanding mentor and business leader who guides those around him and helps them achieve lifelong success.”

In 2021, Allan was inducted into the JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to youth in the region and his success in his business ventures according to a press release.

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Local Students Mentored In World of Choices Program To Explore Future Career Options

Over 200 local students learned from over 25 mentors at the Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) World of Choices program about career paths at Living Hope Church on Thursday.

Ja-NEO held a similar event in early March with the Peterborough Petes at the Peterbrorough Memorial Centre. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

Students ranged from grades 8 to 10 from schools such as St. Martin’s, Adam Scott, Monsignor O’Donoghue and more. Each student listened to five different mentors to gain first-hand insight into career options, benefits and career challenges. Peterborough Fire Department, Peterboro Matboards and RBC were some of the many mentors present.

WOC is a career exploration event aimed at helping students discover new career choices and learn from local industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to get familiar with potential educational paths and grasp a better understanding of the day-to-day duties of several careers.

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Local Students Receive Career Advice From Mentors In World of Choices Program

165 elementary school students were left with words of wisdom as they attended Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) and Peterborough Petes’ World of Choices (WOC) program listening to various mentors about career paths on Thursday morning.

Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations (left) addressing the 165+ students in grades 7 and 8 about his career experience with the team. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The event at the Peterborough Memorial Centre hosted grade 7 and 8 students from Crestwood, Chemong Public School, Prince of Wales and Immaculate Conception. They listened to five different mentors to gain first-hand insight into career options, benefits and career challenges in the professional sports and entertainment industry. Mentors included organizations from the Peterborough Petes, Rawscoe's Sport Collectibles, RBC, YourTV Cogeco, Corus Entertainment and more that spoke to the pre-teens.

WOC is a career exploration event aimed at helping students discover new career choices and learn from local industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to get familiar with potential educational paths and grasp a better understanding of the day-to-day duties of several careers.

“We’re excited to partner with The Peterborough Petes to help local students understand and explore a wide array of career options,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “Following the completion of today’s program, students will feel empowered to continue their education towards a chosen career and be better equipped to meet the challenges of today’s working world.”

All participating students received a ticket to attend the Petes’ game that night with a family member against the Kingston Frontenacs.

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Junior Achievement Unveils City of Kawartha Lakes Inaugural Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) unveiled its inaugural JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) inductees for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

The inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to JA-NEO.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the inaugural class of inductees to first ever JA Business Hall of Fare for the City of Kawartha Lakes," said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. "These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”

The inductees will be formally inducted at the inaugural JA. Business Hall of Fame May 11 at Mackey Celebrations in downtown Lindsay.

Tania-Joy Bartlett. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jim Bogar. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jack and Ila Crowe. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Nicki and Dedes Costas. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Liz Grimes. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Ted Smith. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jeff Strybosch. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jason and Karissa Ward. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:

• Tania-Joy Bartlett - Nev Beginnings Contracting Services

• Jim Bogar (Posthumously) - Cameron Steel

• Jack and Ila Crowe (Posthumously) Kawartha Dairy

• Nicki and Dedes Costas - Olympia Restaurant

• Liz Grimes - Cathy Allan Ladieswear

• Ted Smith - TS Manufacturing

• Jeff Strybosch - Kawartha Wholesale Bakery

• Jason and Karissa Ward - Ward Lawyers Professional Corporation

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28 TASSS Students Became Budding Entrepreneurs, Hosting a Shareholders Meeting As Part of Business Class Curriculum

There were 28 students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) who turned a profit as they created and sold a business, hosting a shareholders meeting as part of their curriculum that was held on Friday afternoon.

Several roles were bid on by the students to claim during the entrepreneurship such as production, human resources, health and safety, marketing and more. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The students were tasked to become entrepreneurs by creating and running a business, assigned by TASSS business teacher Blaine White throughout the semester. Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) partnered with the program by providing weekly advice with guest speakers.

“At the beginning of the semester, we have students learn about planning a business and then they start their own business,” explained White. “They're responsible for all of the production, all of the marketing, all of the sales and all of the finances.”

“Youth will have the opportunity to learn and experience skilled trades and entrepreneurship by creating, managing and liquidating a business,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “All with the guidance and support of experts from across our community.”

TASSS students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and report to the media and public. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The students founded the company ‘Encompase Eco’ which created eco-friendly firestarters that were available to purchase at the Kawartha Buttertart Factory & Bakery.

The students held a final shareholder meeting to disclose all of the earnings and share prices. They had over a 381 per cent return in selling the business according to White.

“It's amazing to me to set the bar and watch students rise to the occasion,” he explained. “I couldn't be happier that they've learned all these really awesome skills that they are going to go and carry out into their own lives and perhaps starts their own businesses in our community but I'm also proud of them as people who have developed over the last five months.”

The students were excited to receive hands-on education instead of learning solely through a textbook according to grade 10 student Aiden Budd, who served as the company’s vice president of production.

“I've never experienced anything like this, the textbooks get so boring but now that I got the opportunity to do something like this, it really feels great,” he exclaimed.

During the semester, students had to bid and campaign for roles within the company before starting the business. The students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and a report before the media and public. The whole process had its bumps but became an instant unforgettable experience for the students.

“I know a lot of people were nervous to get up here but I actually did enjoy it a lot, I'm proud of myself and my team for doing a great job. Mr. White, I thanked him so much for having the opportunity to be able to run this business because there are not a lot of kids that get the opportunity to do stuff like this.”

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Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario Announces 2023 Business Hall of Fame Nominees

The Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) announced the JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) nominees at the Venture North Building on Wednesday.

All nominees and BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran shortly after each nomination was announced. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The hall of fame recognizes Peterborough’s exceptional business leaders. These inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to a press release.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 8th annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honoured today.”

The inductees were announced by BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran of The Ear Company.

The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:

• Allan and Gerald Bolton – Formerly Trentway Bus Lines

• Peter, Anne and Greg Elmhirst – Elmhirst’s Resort

• Bill Lett and Michael Gallant – Lett Architects Inc.

• Craig Mortlock – Mortlock Construction

• Neil Morton – Co-founder CORMOR & Co. and ECFC, formerly Studio PTBO

• Effy Peel – Jim’s Pizzeria & Pasta

• Peter Robinson – Formerly Weed Man Lawn Care

• Jaime Stringer – Formerly FCI Windows

• Scott Murison, Kieran Andrews, and Jonathan Moreno – Wild Rock Outfitters

The inductees are formally inducted at the 8th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame, set for May 25 at The Venue.

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Olympic Silver Medalist Ashley Brzozowicz Speaking At Idea Share In Peterborough

On November 20th at The Venue, Junior Achievement presents a special event on building bridges between current community leaders and our future generation of community leaders. There will be workshops and a guest speaker by Ashley Brzozowicz. More deets in poster below...

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