The Summit is Junior Achievement’s opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students from across the United States.
JA Companies develop and market a product or service with the goal of realizing a profit for their shareholders. Reaching over 10,000 U.S. students during the 2016-17 school year, the JA Company Program gives teens the skills to start and run their own businesses under the mentorship of a local business volunteer.
This pinnacle event brings together 15 JA student companies to our nation's capital for three days of high-impact JA experiences.
The Summit features the JA Company of the Year powered by The Hartford, Delta Social Impact Award, the EY Innovation Award, the FedEx Access Award, and the ICE NYSE Foundation Best Financial Performance Award.
SPONSORS & JUDGES
Junior Achievement is thankful for the generous support received to execute the 2018 National Student Leadership Summit.
The 2018 National Student Leadership Summit was made possible by our sponsors -- The Hartford, Delta Air Lines, EY, FedEx, and the Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange.
JA COMPANY OF THE YEAR, powered by The Hartford
The JA Company of the Year Award was determined by the competing JA Company's Report, Entrepreneurship Expo performance, company presentation, team interview performance, and the JA Company commercial.
First Place: Beelieve Inc. - Junior Achievement of East Central Ohio
Second Place: DEFY - Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail
Third Place: Silicube - Junior Achievement of Northern California

JA Company of the Year Winners Beelieve Inc.

Second Place Winners, DEFY.

Third Place Winners, Silicube.
DELTA SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
Awarded to recognize the best JA Company that provides a solution to a local, national, or global problem.
Five finalists were identified at the 2018 NSLS Gala including Beelieve, BlockchainGirls, DEFY, Grater Paper, and Solupal.
Out of the five finalists, Beelieve, representing Junior Achievement of East Central Ohio, took home the 2018 Delta Social Impact title and award.

EY INNOVATION AWARD
To recognize the student company that has the most innovative product or service.
BlockchainGirls, representing Junior Achievement of the Southern California, received the 2018 FedEx Access Award,
Five finalists for the 2018 EY Innovation Award included Beelieve, BlockchainGirls, DEFY, Grater Paper, and NuCool. Out of the five finalists running for the EY Innovation Award, DEFY, representing Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail, took home the 2018 award.

FEDEX ACCESS AWARD
JA student company recognized for exhibiting the principles of global connectivity.
BlockchainGirls, representing Junior Achievement of the Southern California, received the 2018 FedEx Access Award.

ICE NYSE BEST FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AWARD
Recognizing the JA Company that best encompasses several aspects of financial responsibility.
Five finalists for the 2018 Intercontinental Exchange -- New York Stock Exchange, for the Best Financial Performance Award, included Alchemy Apparel, Alpha Solutions, DEFY, Pocket Perks, and Zen5ations.
Out of the five finalists, Pocket Perks, representing Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, took home the 2018 Best Financial Performance Award.

JIM SWEENY 2018 AWARD RECIPIENT
Awarded to an individual of JA Company for accomplishments in a role within a JA Company and entrepreneurial potential.
Eric Lin, President of Grater Paper Enterprise, was awarded the Jim Sweeny Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, which is provided by the JA Pioneers.
As a participant in JA programs for the past 5 years, Lin, a Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas student, received the $1,000 scholarship to go towards his continuation of education.

Want to see more NSLS? Check out our JA Alumni Ambassador's video HERE!