An Unforgettable Journey

Author: DeJonna Farrar
Work Readiness
Published: Tuesday, 16 Apr 2019

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For a fifth grader, JA BizTown is an unforgettable trip, one where students learn how to write a check, where they get their first paycheck, and where they learn how to run a business. Those are just some of the memories Genevieve Stakias remembers.

Genevieve was the CFO at Bank of America when she first attended JA BizTown a decade ago with her classmates at Riderwood Elementary.

“I still can remember preparing at school for the field trip,” she says. “I was CFO of Bank of America, processing payroll, handling bills, and processing loans. I still even have my lanyard. Not only was the experience wonderful, but the volunteers were extremely helpful. They allowed us to run the businesses on our own but ensured that we were on track and benefitting from the program.” Genevieve had such an awesome experience during her school’s visit that she begged her mom to sign her up for that summer’s JA BizTown camp.

Now a senior at Towson University, Genevieve works as a program intern with JA. Through this role, she has had the opportunity to see JA BizTown through a different lens -- one in which she is responsible for preparing school materials, organizing inventory, and ensuring that the program is set and ready to inspire the next generation of leaders.

“I saw the internship opportunity at TU, and the name Junior Achievement was very familiar. Then I remembered my great experience at JA BizTown and learning about real-world economic experiences. From there, I knew this would be a perfect opportunity for me,” she recalls.

Genevieve, who grew up in Maryland, also coaches basketball, and fluently speaks Greek, Italian, and Spanish. At Towson University she majors in family studies with an interest in human services.

Genevieve loves JA and recommends that more interns apply for the opportunity to be a part of an organization that focuses on real-world experiences for children.

DeJonna Farrar is a marketing intern at Junior Achievement. She is a Business Communication major at Stevenson University who graduates with her Bachelor of Science in May 2019. Her primary focus within her major is marketing.