Dolores Duron: "My memories of an incredible journey into the future through my Junior Achievement Experience 45 years ago are always present in my mind. I guess I can honestly say that Junior Achievement helped jump start my enthusiasm for a lifelong career in public relations, which explains why I am not ready to retire after 37 years of teaching for the San Diego Unified School District.

When I was a Junior at Cathedral Girls' High School in downtown San Diego, CA. I was inspired to join Junior Achievement. I know that the program was presented to us by JA representatives who came to our campus. I was hooked after their presentation. We were told that we could learn how to start a business and actually create and produce our own products. I excelled in Math, so consequently, the vision of a practical application for math, selling products and making a profit, enticed me even more.

Eventually I became the accountant/treasurer for "Magna Products." We designed and produced magnetic boards which were hung in the kitchen as magnetic utensil holders. I wish I would have kept one. They were quite the invention.

DRepresentatives from the Bank of America were the mentors for the students in our company. I was a corporate JA participant and my mentors prepared me to be a sales representative. I had the opportunity to meet with B of A employers to sell them our "magna boards." I remember that we did make a profit, but specifics are vague. I was awarded with a medal of distinction from Junior Achievement before graduating from High School in 1967, and was also a third place runner up in the Miss Junior Achievement Contest during that same year.

I attribute my success to my love of learning and to my love of life, but Junior Achievement is instrumental in developing my work ethic and providing the foundation for my lifelong career in educational and community leadership. I co-directed religious education through my church for many years as a volunteer. I have been a Parent Academic Liaison Project Resource Teacher for 10 years at Kimbrough Elementary School and I am a member of the San Diego Organizing Project. In conclusion, I would like to express my thanks to Junior Achievement for having affected my life in such a positive way.

Respectfully,
Dolores C. Duron
Parent Academic Liaison/Project Resource Teacher
Kimbrough Elementary School
SDUSD

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