BY PAULY SUBA
Journal Staff
Guam’s future economy received a boost of optimism as approximately 150 high school students showcased their entrepreneurial talents at the Junior Achievement (JA) Company Program awards ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Held at Capitol Kitchen, the event celebrated the creativity, hard work, and innovation of students who spent 12 weeks building their own businesses from the ground up.
Now in its 50th year in Guam, the JA Company Program empowers students in grades 9-12 to identify community needs, develop solutions, and launch their own businesses. With guidance from community mentors and volunteers, these young entrepreneurs learned to collaborate, make critical business decisions, and pitch their ideas to stakeholders.
Ten student-led companies competed for top honors, including Best Commercial, Best Annual Report, and the coveted Company of the Year award. The winning teams, Rooted and Estoria, will represent Guam at the JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year competition in Japan this spring.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, who attended the ceremony, praised the students for their dedication and creativity. “I appreciate the Junior Achievement program as it has turned out so many innovative, creative, great ideas, and that’s what we need for our island,” she said.
Leon Guerrero highlighted the program’s impact on students’ personal and professional growth. “What you also learn is very important, and that is the networking, the interpersonal relationships that you guys have found with each other,” she said. “You all go to different schools, but because of Junior Achievement, you’re introduced to other kids from other schools, and you’ve developed a bond with all of them.”
She encouraged the students to continue building on their experiences. “Everything that you’ve learned here is going to help you provide for your family, succeed in life, and contribute to our community,” she said.
Meg Tyquiengco, a JA board member, reflected on JA’s global mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy. “Our global vision for Junior Achievement is young people have the skill set and the mindset to build thriving communities,” Tyquiengco said. “I believe we’re doing that as I watch you guys every year do something new, with new products, and new attitudes.”
Tyquiengco emphasized the importance of resilience and teamwork. “It is so inspiring to watch you guys get up there, create these products that are amazing, and overcome challenges,” she said. “The stuff that you learn, the experiences that you had, will impact you going forward for many, many years.”
The ceremony recognized outstanding achievements across multiple categories. The winners include:
Company of the Year: Rooted, Estoria, and TaoTao Tales
Product of the Year: Estoria, Rooted, and TaoTao Tales
Best Financial Practices: Rooted, Estoria, and Tasina
Best in Show: Rooted, TaoTao Tales, and Alina
Best Annual Report: Rooted, Estoria, and Pidason Guahan
Best Commercial: Pidason Guahan, Måmå'tå, and Estoria
Individual leadership awards were also presented, including:
Chief Executive Officer: Madison “Maddie” Fejeran (Rooted), Lisa Becka (Estoria), and Ian Park (TaoTao Tales)
Chief Finance Officer: Allan Zeng (TaoTao Tales), Landon Brewster (Alina), and Arabella Gayle (Måmå’tå)
Chief Operations Officer: Priscilla Howard (Estoria), Steven Bamba (Rooted), and Maven Guoden (Alina)
Chief Marketing Officer: Steffan Surban (Pidason Guahan), Kaden Candaso (Rooted), and Ethan DelaCruz (Alina)
The students were reminded that their achievements are just the beginning. “Let’s keep this energy going,” said Camillah Marino, JA Guam Alumni vice president, virtually. “What you’ve achieved is just the beginning. The world needs more leaders like you.”
Ranked Top 10 for the Alumni award:
1. Ian Park
2. Maddie Fejeran
3. Jamie Xu
4. Angelica Espaldon
5. Ethan Dela Cruz
6. Allan Zeng
7. Pareeya Gouniai
8. Alyssa Marie Pangelinan
9. Arabella Gayle
10. Ian Gaza
Angel Payumo, JA Guam Alumni president, also addressed the students virtually, encouraging them to continue their journey. “Over the last 12 weeks, you’ve proven that age is no limit when it comes to creating meaningful change,” Payumo said. “Even as teenagers, your voices can, and already have, changed the future.”
With Rooted and Estoria set to compete on the international stage, Guam’s young entrepreneurs are poised to make an even greater impact. Governor Leon Guerrero left the students with a final message: “Keep up the good work. We need you guys to continue improving the lives of our people here in Guam.”mbj
click here for photo gallery: Junior Achievement Company Award Ceremony - Jan. 29, 2025