JA CEO academy: growing Alaska's future business leaders.

• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Junior Achievement

The Junior Achievement Company Program unlocks the innate ability in students to fill a need or solve a problem in their community by launching a business venture--unleashing their entrepreneurial spirit. This thirteen-week program enables students to build and manage their business, interact with experts from the business community, and examine business related topics and tools. Participating schools in Anchorage, Nome, Point Hope, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau have successfully run student-led businesses in the past three years.

Here is a spotlight on two different business ventures currently operating in Anchorage schools.

Northern Lights ABC Middle School: Rest in Fleece

Led by JA Volunteers Rick Whitbeck-Alaska Communications, Karen Smith-Bogard Logistics, and Northern Lights ABC Language Arts and Science teacher Carole McKee, this group of future CEOs meets twice a week from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. to run their company. Students created a business plan to sell handmade fleece blankets for $25 each.

Student Leadership: President Ashley Smith, VP Finance Aaron Hippier, VP Human Resources Maezelle Tacas...