Setting an Example
Many parents get involved in their child’s school by volunteering to help with field trips or joining the parent/teacher organization.
Deatria Walker lent a helping hand with a program at her son’s school that she was very familiar with – Junior Achievement.
“Volunteering is important to me. My son’s school sent out a request for volunteers for the Junior Achievement program. Since I was involved in the program as a high schooler, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get involved in his school,” the Cincinnati, Ohio, agent says.
For Deatria, Junior Achievement sparked her interest and motivated her to attend college. A recent Cincinnati high school graduate had a similar experience.
Ty’ron Little participated in the JA Personal Finance program in eighth grade and the JA It’s My Future program in high school. He put the information he learned through these programs to use to get a job, open a bank account, buy a car and get into Miami University.
Junior Achievement featured Ty’ron in a video and asked Deatria to pose as the small-business educator.
“I got to talk to Ty’ron and get the back story of what he had gone through with his mom and family members. He wanted to set an example for his little brother. He said Junior Achievement helped him stay focused,” Deatria says.
“We realized what a unique and wonderful story Ty’ron had,” Laura Randall-Tepe, vice president of strategic relations for Junior Achievement of OKI Partners – Cincinnati/Dayton/Richmond, says. “We know there are kids engaged in the program and from the program. They’re introduced to strategies and concepts they didn’t know or hadn’t picked up.”
Deatria wanted to give back to her community, and Junior Achievement was a great way to do that.
“It’s a blessing I have this career. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher. Although I’m a State Farm® agent today, I’m able to fulfill that need to help educate and pass on the knowledge I’ve learned to benefit someone else,” she says.
“I think it’s our responsibility to reach back and give as much as we can to someone who needs assistance,” the 10-year agent adds. “There were so many adults who helped me when I was a student and didn’t have much. Now it is my time to help take care of others.”
