SPRINGFIELD – Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JA) has announced their inaugural list of “18 under 18” honorees, recognized for their innovative spirit, leadership and community involvement.

“It’s brand new this year,” said Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. She said the “18 under 18” program was previously instituted successfully with Junior Achievement chapters in Arizona and Western Pennsylvania. “When we came across it, we felt strongly that it was something we needed in this area,” she said. Junior Achievement, a global non-profit youth organization, originated in Springfield in 1919.

Connolly said the first Junior Achievement building was at the Big E.

Junior Achievement’s mission is to help inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a changing world, with a focus on financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship, their three pillars. They have programs from kindergarten to 12th grade, most taking place in school. During the coronavirus pandemic, they have been able to run their programs virtually, although Connolly hopes to get back to live interaction between community members and teachers next year.

Connolly said due to the coronavirus pandemic and school closings, even now that they are back in session, students have been challenged, and their self-confidence and communication skills have been shaken.

She said the “18 under 18” recognition is an opportunity to reach out to students all over Western Massachusetts who have demonstrated leadership in their schools or sports teams, have shown creative entrepreneurial thinking or excelled in community involvement.

“We want to honor those students, make them feel better about themselves and give the community hope – here’s the future, we’re looking great,” Connolly said.

They sent out the call for nominations to over 500 educators in all four counties in Western Massachusetts – to high school teachers, guidance counselors, principals, to the YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs. “It was a learning experience for us. It was very rewarding, and we’re very excited about it,” Connolly said, adding that as a brand-new venture, they were not overwhelmed with nominations this year, but it was still difficult to choose. “After this year, when we send it out next year, we’re going to be in trouble,” she said.

In the end, 27 nominations came in, which they narrowed down to 18. She said the students sent in creative pieces, including music, art, writing and photographs. Her team received letters of recommendation and had Zoom interviews with each of the students.

“We were amazed, sometimes brought to tears. We were inspired, and it made it harder,” Connolly said.

The 18 students who were recognized, some of whom have been involved with Junior Achievement and some who knew little about the organization, were just as excited as Connolly.

Nathaniel Claudio, a senior in business technology at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, is president of the National Honor Society, 15th in his class, and serves as the student representative to the Springfield School Committee.

“As a senior, I have been directly involved with Junior Achievement since I was a freshman and it has been nothing short of entertaining, educational and eye-opening,” Claudio said, naming his involvement in events such as the JA’s Shark Tank Challenge, the Big E, and summer programs.

“While partaking in these events I was able to connect with other students like myself, business professionals and other people within JA. Doing all these things has helped me be molded into the person I am today and helps me keep motivation on what I would like to achieve in the future,” Claudio said.

Kayla Staley of Springfield is a junior at the Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, where she excels not only in performing but also academically. She is president of the junior class, a member of the National Honor Society, and was selected as a student representative for the Springfield Public Schools “Portrait of a Graduate.” Since January 2021, Kayla has earned over $20,000 in vocal scholarships, and was selected to receive private coaching and lessons from Broadway stars, college professors and other master classes.

Staley said she was nominated for “18 under 18” with no knowledge of what it was for and why. “I was ecstatic after learning all about the group and meeting 17 other amazing kids my age who are working hard to make an impact in their community. It’s so inspiring to see people like me making a difference and I am proud and excited to be a part of the group,” she said.

Grace Kuhn of Westfield had also not been previously involved with Junior Achievement. Kuhn is a senior in Westfield High School, vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of the Best Buddies Club and Reshaping Reality, which focuses on mental health and body image.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Kuhn pushed herself during a challenging time to fulfill the personal goal of writing the novel, “Knox Hollow: Murder on Mayflower,” and has recently completed her second novel, “Dalton Ridge: Homicide on Holiday Hill.” She will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst Honors College, with plans to study communication disorders on her way to becoming a speech pathologist.

“You have to take advantage of every moment you have; to make the most of every minute,” Kuhn said.

Elise Hansel of Springfield said she was “quite honored to be one of the winners of the 18 Under 18 award.” A sophomore at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Hansel was a student leader in JA’s internship program with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Her marketing and design skills also won her first place in a billboard design competition, for the “Stop the Swerve” campaign, which strives to spread awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Even though I have only been involved with this organization for a short period of time, I strongly believe that it has had a tremendous impact on me as a student,” Hansel said, adding that Junior Achievement has provided her with numerous opportunities to try new things and help to prepare her for a career in business.

“In addition, it has also helped me step outside of my comfort zone a bit. JA has helped me build knowledge in the area of personal finance, learning about what it takes to start up your own business and how to be a leader in your own way. I don’t think I would’ve had as much personal growth as I did within this past year if it was not for the support of JA,” Hansel said.

After being selected, the “18 under 18” were treated to headshots and helped with resumes and biographies. They were also recognized at an event at Tower Square on May 19, sponsored by Teddy Bear Pools, Country Bank and Savage Arms in Westfield.

“We’re going to make it annual. We’ve actually added to the program,” Connolly said. She said not only the students that were selected but the ones who were nominated will have the opportunity to join into a mentoring program. She said they already have volunteers and board members who are offering to work with the students.

“We’ll have some events and activities to learn more about presenting themselves, social skills and resumes – just to keep them connected. They all showed so much promise, that we wanted to remain connected with them and help them in any way that we could,” Connolly said.

“We’re very happy to have been able to bring a new program here and have the community embrace it,” Connolly added.

This year’s Junior Achievement “18 under 18” are:

Liberty Basora of Springfield is a student in the marketing/retail program at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Trinity Baush of Chicopee is a junior at Chicopee High School.

Nevaeh Branyon of Springfield is an eighth grade student at Marcus M. Kiley Middle School.

Nathaniel Claudio of Springfield is a senior in business technology at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Chase Daigneault of Chicopee is a sophomore at Chicopee High School.

Ella Florence of Chicopee is a junior at Chicopee High School.

Elise Hansel of Springfield is a sophomore at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Adyan Khattak of Chicopee is a senior at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.

Grace Kuhn of Westfield is a senior at Westfield High School.

Katelynn Mersincavage is a senior at Hampden Charter School of Science – East.

Alondra Nieves of Springfield is a student in the business technology shop at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Sean O’Dea of Buckland is a senior at Mohawk Trail Regional High School.

Ricardo Ortiz of Springfield is in eighth grade at Marcus M. Kiley Middle School.

Het Parikh of West Springfield is a senior at West Springfield High School.

Parmila Sarki of Springfield is a senior in the Business Technology shop at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Jadyn Smith of Chicopee is a junior at Chicopee High School.

Kayla Staley of Springfield is a junior at the Springfield Conservatory of the Arts.

Victoria Weagle of Deerfield is a junior at Frontier Regional High School.