WEST HARTFORD, Conn. —26 student-athletes from the University of Hartford participated in Junior Achievement (JA) Day on Friday, April 5 at the Noah Webster Micro Society Magnet School in Hartford.

JA Day is a program in which volunteers partner with elementary schools to help educate and prepare the youth for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. At its core, it also helps to give students hope for the future.

"JA provides a platform for our student-athletes to go into the Hartford community and make an impact on the youth," exclaimed Hartford Athletics Chief of Staff, Kelsey Armstrong.
 

Men and women from Hartford's soccer, cross country/track and field, volleyball, basketball and golf teams spent the day interacting with and teaching students from kindergarten through second grade.

"Working with this organization is a win-win," continued Armstrong. "Our student-athletes get an amazing experience teaching about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, while serving as great role models in the classroom."

Incorporating student-athletes into this organization allows the participants to see what their future could hold, while benefitting the student-athletes with a mentorship opportunity.

"My relationship with fellow student-athletes grew stronger, and we learned how to collaborate in a different environment," commented men's soccer player, Rasmus Karlsson. "Instead of working together on the field, we worked together to provide the best day possible for the kids."

The Hartford Department of Athletics has been involved with Junior Achievement for a number of years and recognizes the value it brings to both its student-athletes and the community.