S3 E3 #69 From Classroom to Commerce

In this episode of the ElevatePolk Podcast, we sit down with Shauna Dykes of Junior Achievement of Polk County to explore how students are being prepared for the real world through hands-on learning, business exposure, mentorship, and entrepreneurial thinking. Shauna shares how Junior Achievement is helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce by giving young people practical experiences that build confidence, vision, and readiness for the future.

We also discuss the impact of the new JA Discovery Center at Tenoroc High School, the importance of local business involvement, and why investing in students today is a meaningful investment in Polk County’s long-term future. This episode also ties directly into the Central Florida Business Expo, where Junior Achievement is the beneficiary, 20% of proceeds will support JA locally, and student-run businesses will be featured at the event.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The mission of Junior Achievement of Polk County
• How JA helps students build skills in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship
• The vision and impact of the JA Discovery Center
• Why business leaders matter as mentors, volunteers, and supporters
• How exposing students to opportunity helps shape Polk’s future
• The connection between Junior Achievement and the Central Florida Business Expo
• Why featuring student businesses at the Expo matters

Episode Links: 
JA Polk website: japolk.org
Instagram: instagram.com/JA_Polk

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Join the conversation and learn more about the Central Florida Business Expo: cflbe.com | instagram.com/cflbe | facebook.com/cflbe