Junior Achievement hosts hundreds for Day of the Girl

Author: Junior Achievement of North Florida
Community Involvement
Published: Thursday, 14 Jul 2022

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Image caption: Yoga session at Day of the Girl

The Day of the Girl, a JA Girl$ event, took place at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center. The girls moved through the four categories of workshops: STEM, motivation, financial literacy and healthy mind and body.

“The Day of the Girl is a chance for these young ladies to learn some important skills that will help them grow into successful women,” said Shannon Italia, president of JA of North Florida. “I am so proud of our team who put together a great program that was both informative and fun for these girls and a great way to spend the day. I would also like to thank the many volunteers who took time out of their day to join us to help lead the girls through these lessons. We could not do it without them and our wonderful sponsors.”

Mercedes-Benz USA was the title sponsor for the day, which started with a message from featured speaker Lakeisha Burton, who told the girls, “You can be anything you want to be no matter what happens in your life. Work hard, be kind, associate with people that have similar life goals, and you will be able to fulfill your dreams.”

Volunteers from Johnson & Johnson taught the “Our Future STEMinists” lesson, which focused on science and engineering. Mayo Clinic volunteers led a lesson on how to identify stroke symptoms. The older groups learned how to be a financial success from the volunteers from Citizens Bank, the presenting sponsor of the event. The financial literacy lesson for elementary students on how to earn, spend, save and donate was taught by volunteers from SouthState, the day’s workshop sponsor.

“As a mother of four, I see the benefits that JA gives to our kids,” said Maria McDaniels, event volunteer and vice president consumer bank market manager for SouthState. “It is beneficial to all and teaches a lot of great life lessons.”

The girls were taught how to build their self-confidence by volunteers from the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center’s “See the Girl,” and At the Table Coaching led the “Girl Power: Free to Be Me” session.

The girls also participated in healthy mind and body lessons including a yoga session led by John Brent and Mary Airheart and inspirational word bracelet making led by PNC Bank volunteers.

“One of my favorite workshops was the budgeting class, because it helped me learn more about real-world expenses,” seventh-grader Ava Saman said. “This class is something that will help my future.”