The Bakersfield Californian from Bakersfield, California • Page 30

Teens Flock to Junior Achievers' Companies Net Profits From Industry Some corruguated paper, a few tacks, and a Chrhtmas parade float. Junior Achievers Roger Ball, top, and Don Gentry were among the 150 high school students from seven Junior Achievement companies who designed and built their own floot. Junior Achievement is well under way in Bakersfield, with more than 150 local high school students participating in team enterprise. These students represent seven operating J.A. companies, which began their 1965-1966 program in September.

J.A., in its third year of operation in Bakersfield, was started because a local gi-oup of business and civic leaders wanted the advantages of J.A. for this community. These men and organizations pledged the time and money to organize and operate a Junior Achievement center; because they expected to receive something in return: A better informed and equipped youth. Although Junior Achievement is relatively new to Bakersfield, it is not a new concept. J.A.

began in 1919 in Springfield, Mass. The organization spread slowly through Massachusetts and Connecticut, and into New York City. In 1945, J.A. operated in only 12 areas of the Rockies. Today, J.A.

operates in than 150 areas, including Canada, Mexico, Holland, England, and Venezuela. A Junior Achievement company operates in exactly the same manner as a regular adult business. The elect their officers, select a product, select a market, and then attempt Ho manufacture and merchandise the product at a profit. Since they capitalize by selling stock, the companies are motivated to return the investment at the end of the year with some rate of interest. Each J.A.

company is organized and directed by the achievers and their elected officers. The companies do, however, receive guidance and advice from at least three advisers, supplied by sponsoring organizations. Because the.se volunteer advisers can only offer suggestions, and no real control over the decisions of the achievers, the individual J.A, company and its members learn to profit from their mistakes, as well as from their successful actions. Junior Achievement participation is open to any junior or senior in high school, whose grades are good enough to allow.him to spend one evening a week at the J.A. center.

Although the 19651966 program has now been in effect since September, any qualified and interested student may still be accepted into a J.A. companj' by applying at the center, located at 2013 Chester Avenue. The center is open every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Junior Achievement enables teenagers to become involved in all phases of business operation. Two high school coeds.

Sue Puskarich and Sarah May, have found production work, including wood finishing, to be both interesting and challenging. The J.A. program places as much emphasis on goals of the future as on immediate business techniques. During the Mayor's Forum on "Adventures in Job Opportunities," representatives Toni O'Kone, Joanne Munson and Steve Anderson presented J.A. data.

Since a Junior Achievement company is a complete business in miniature, teens must maintain accurate cost and profit control as well as market a product. In charge of keeping the books for their company are Peggy MacKelvey and Fred Davis. Adviser Ray Fiock is caught up in the enthusiasm of his Hess, Nancy Nemec; Yolanda Arenas and Kathy the company finishes corsages. Jim Kinser and Moxine Parker, standing, Junior Achievement company advisers, offer guidance, not assistance, to two achievers, Nancy Nemec and John Hess, as the teens work on holiday corsages. Youngsters realize success depends on their own efforts.

Boumgortner and Steve Berchtold team up on a finishing job as part of their duties in the ossem-, Ibiy line production method chosen by their J.A. company. Henry Ford discovered the production line techniquel as the most economicDJ.mode of output. Teens in the Junior Achievement program profit ample as they strive for moss production. Kathy Resseguie and Terry Garvin ore among the young business people who are experiencing the need for coordination.

Bob Malouf, Don Gentry and Kent Richardson do a balancing oct to put together a tumbleweed "Snowman" used on the combined Junior Achievement Christmas float..