JA of Central Virginia is looking for high school students who participated in at least one JA program while in high school who can speak about the lessons they learned. You will be invited to share your story at a JA event the following school year. Not only will you be helping JA teach more students in future years, you will be introduced to JA’s vast network of local employers and receive a $2,500 scholarship upon graduation.
Are you the next JA Student Ambassador?
This competition is open to students currently enrolled in 9th-12th grade who have participated in at least one JA of Central Virginia program while enrolled in high school, including through external organizations. Up to one award will be given to a high school senior. Multiple awards may be given.
Read These First:
Video Prompt:
Tell us about your participation in a JA program and how that participation has changed your behavior or mindset. Include the following:
- Describe your experience in a JA program, including the name of the program and, if applicable, how a volunteer played a role.
- What was the most memorable part and why?
- How have you already and/or how will you apply what you learned in a JA program to your life moving forward, especially as it relates to financial literacy, work readiness, and/or entrepreneurship?
Assume the judges know nothing about JA programs. Please include concrete examples of changed behavior or mindset where possible, address all components, and keep the finished video response between 1-3 minutes.
Students, Keep these Guidelines in Mind:
- Ask a teacher or other adult to assist in planning and review.
- Take time to reflect before recording. Write an outline or even a full script and practice. Edit.
- Be authentic. Demonstrate genuine impact through stories. Include details to support big ideas.
- Speak to impress.
- Imagine you are speaking to a local business owner who knows nothing about JA.
- Avoid using profanity or excessive slang. You want to demonstrate that you can speak to an adult audience.
- Where possible, record your video inside with a still, quiet background. Avoid having a light/window behind you, and turn fans off to avoid a strobe effect.
- Watch the winning videos from last year, read the rubric, and follow these tips. After you record, judge your video using the rubric to make sure it includes everything requested.