Pictured is the West Union seventh grade class (Chris Reed) from last year with volunteer Barbara Cowley-Durst.

Economics for Success, a Junior Achievement Program, came to all seventh grade classrooms at the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District again this year. The program, coordinated by Roy Willman and assisted by the four seventh grade teachers, is delivered by 12 local volunteers.
It encourages students to explore the various factors in choosing a career and managing money successfully. Through a combination of games, activities, presentations, and discussions, the program helps foster self-awareness and critical thinking skills around setting goals and making decisions about one’s career and financial future.
Over the course of six sessions (twice a week for three weeks), which began on April 25, students explore the world of educational and career choices, learn about how to make those career choices, and then discover what is involved in executing on one’s career goals. They’ll also be introduced to several concepts involved in personal finance: for instance, how consumers pay for goods and services, the disadvantages and advantages of each payment method, insurance options, and risk.
The program is very fortunate to have 12 successful local business people to present the six-part series.  Each visit takes about 45 minutes, with the volunteers using their personal life and career experiences to bring the curriculum to life for the students.
Barbara Cowley-Durst, who is a second-year volunteer and is currently a business coach, expressed excitement about the program and working with the students, “It is such a privilege to work with our seventh graders on this outstanding program. Economics for Success provides students with a fun and educational way to learn about the adult world of work and personal finance. It gives them an opportunity to begin to think about and plan their own futures, which is so important for their future success.”
“ I was incredibly impressed last year with the creativity and thoughtfulness of our students and I am excited to work with this year’s classes. They are our future.”
Mike Fulwinder, who is Vice President for Junior Achievement In-class and Community Programs out of Columbus, visited Adams County recently and met with volunteers and school officials. He said “We’re excited to see the JA program doing so well for so long in Adams County. Many thanks to Superintendent Rich Seas and Curriculum Coordinator Lisa Toole for their support, along with the school principals and teachers, and of course to the local organizations that make it all possible through their generous support. The volunteers are greatly appreciated, giving their time and energy to connect with students, making this material come to life.”
The volunteers and teachers for this year are:
Peebles – Stan Dodridge (teacher) with Tammy Stone (Fifth Third Bank), Roy Willman (Willman Facilitation), Chad McCoy (McCoy Lumber), and Max Craft (First State Bank);
West Union – Karen Cunningham and Chris Reed (teachers) with John Linkous (National Bank of Adams County), Barbara Cowley-Durst (Beacon Knowledge Group, LLC), Mike McCann (National Bank of Adams County) and Mike Pell (First State Bank);
North Adams – Kelly Boerger (teacher) with Nancy Horvath (Merchants National Bank), Dan Wickerham (Adams Brown Recycling), Justin Schmitz (First State Bank) and Monica Bowling (Bowling Insurance Group).