JLCA - Junior Leadership & Career Academy

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JLCA - Junior Leadership & Career Academy

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Providing a pathway to educate and mentor students on leadership and pride in our community!

10/08/2026

JLCA Goes Behind the Scenes of Advanced Manufacturing & Technology! 💡
Yesterday, our Junior Leadership & Career Academy (JLCA) participants got a behind-the-scenes look at the ingenuity, innovation, processes and technology driving some of the River Valley’s leading companies.
From state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technology to skilled professionals and innovative production processes, students experienced firsthand the exciting career opportunities available in manufacturing and technology — right here in our own community!
And the opportunities don’t stop at the classroom. Many of the companies our students visited offer paid internships, tuition reimbursement and career pathways that can help students gain valuable experience while continuing their education.
We hope this experience was both enlightening and inspiring as our JLCA students continue exploring their interests and making decisions about their future education and career paths.
The future workforce is being built today — and we’re proud to help these young leaders see what’s possible right here in the River Valley! 🚀
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor OG&E
Session Sponsor Owens Corning
Lunch and Break Annual Sponsor Georgia-Pacific Dixie
Gold Sponsors ABB Motors and Drives US, First National Bank of Fort Smith, Hytrol, Mercy
Also a huge "thank you" to ArcBest and Rheem for allowing the group to tour your wonderful facilities!
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09/08/2026

The Junior Leadership & Career Academy (JLCA) Class of 2027 is underway and we’re inviting businesses and community partners to participate!

JLCA brings together a diverse group of high school freshmen from schools throughout Sebastian County for a year of leadership development, career exploration, mentoring, and community engagement.

From July 2026 through April 2027, students will meet monthly with business leaders, community leaders, and potential employers to learn about the opportunities available right here in our region.

💼 Why sponsor JLCA?

Your investment helps students:
• Develop effective and positive leadership skills
• Explore careers and connect with potential employers
• Build relationships with business leaders
• Gain a greater understanding of our region and its opportunities
• Develop a sense of community pride and civic responsibility

At the same time, your business has the opportunity to build relationships with future employees, showcase your industry, and help shape the workforce and leaders our region will need for years to come.

Interested in becoming a JLCA sponsor? We would love to talk with you about sponsorship opportunities!

09/03/2026

💼 JLCA Business & Finance Session: Exploring the World of Business! 💰

Yesterday, our 11th Junior Leadership and Career Academy (JLCA) students had an enlightening day exploring entrepreneurship, small business, banking, finance, and the many career opportunities available right here in our community.

The day began with a visit to First National Bank of Fort Smith, where students learned about the history of the bank, the important role banks play in our community, and received a behind-the-scenes tour.

From there, students visited Main Street Fort Smith, where Amanda Hagar shared resources and programs designed to support entrepreneurs and businesses in our community, including the Commerce Collective and Mini-Grant Program.

The students then visited Serious Fiber, a recipient of the Main Street Fort Smith Mini-Grant Program, and heard from owner Crystal Bedney, a Navy veteran, about her journey as an entrepreneur and business owner.

At the Bakery District, Destiney Cameron, owner of DIGS, shared her experience as a restaurant owner and what it takes to build and operate a successful business. Students also heard from Ben Brown, owner of Bullfrog Bouncers, who shared his entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned along the way.

Ty Barrett, Regional Director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, introduced students to the many resources available to current and aspiring entrepreneurs before leading them through a hands-on business plan activity.

The day wrapped up with a Careers in Banking & Finance Panel, featuring Jay Eveld with Chambers Bank, Omar Portillo with Firstar Bank, and Malea Hendrickson with First National Bank. The panelists shared their career journeys, what led them into the banking and finance industry, and the paths they took after high school.

What an incredible day of learning, inspiration, and real-world experiences for our JLCA students! We are grateful to the business leaders and community partners who took time to invest in our future leaders and show them the many possibilities that await them after high school. 👏

A special THANK YOU to our JLCA sponsors for making this experience possible:

⭐ Presenting Sponsor: OG&E
⭐ Session Sponsor: Chambers Bank
⭐ Brain Break Sponsor:
⭐ Lunch Sponsor: Georgia-Pacific
⭐ Platinum Sponsor: Silgan Plastic Food Containers- Fort Smith AR
⭐ Gold Sponsors: ABB Motors and Drives US | First National Bank of Fort Smith | Hytrol | Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

And a huge THANK YOU to DeAnne Hankins with the Greater Fort Smith Assoc of Home Builders for providing journals and for supporting this group throughout the day!

Your investment in JLCA is an investment in the future of our workforce and our community! ❤️

07/27/2026

What an incredible start to the Junior Leadership & Career Academy (JLCA) Class of 2027! 🎉

We were excited to welcome this outstanding group of students to Peak Innovation Center for their Opening Retreat, where they began building the foundation for an unforgettable year of leadership, learning, and personal growth.

Throughout the day, students explored their individual strengths, got to know their classmates, and discovered the importance of collaboration, communication, and teamwork. These experiences will serve as the foundation for the next year as they grow into tomorrow's leaders.

A special thank you to our exceptional presenters who invested their time, knowledge, and encouragement in our students:
- Dr. Micki Voelkel, UAFS Center for Economic Development
- Col. Michael Krom, Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, 188th Wing, Ebbing Air National Guard Base
- Deanne Hankins, Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders, who also generously provided journals for each student

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors whose support makes this program possible.
Annual Program Sponsor: OG&E
Opening Retreat Session Sponsor: Ge**er, thank you for providing gifts for every class participant!
Lunch & Break Sponsor (throughout the year): Georgia-Pacific/Dixie, thank you for keeping our students energized all day and throughout the program year.

Your commitment to developing the next generation of leaders is making a lasting impact on our community.

The JLCA program is designed to educate and mentor a diverse group of high school freshmen from Sebastian County, helping them develop leadership skills, build community pride, and explore the incredible career and educational opportunities available right here in the Fort Smith Region.

The Class of 2027 is an exceptional group of young leaders, and we cannot wait to see all they accomplish over the coming year. It's going to be a fantastic year!

07/27/2026

Last Thursday, we celebrated the new JLCA Class of 2027 at their New Class Reception! We are so excited to get our 11th class started with our first official session in September!

Thank you so much to our sponsors of this program:
Presenting Sponsor: OG&E
Annual Lunch & Break Sponsor: Georgia-Pacific
Platinum Sponsors: Silgan Plastic Food Containers- Fort Smith AR
Gold Sponsors: ABB Motors and Drives US, Hytrol, First National Bank of Fort Smith, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Journal and Materials Sponsor: Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders

07/23/2026

We are looking forward to welcoming the new JLCA Class of 2027 this evening at Peak Innovation Center! Doors will open at 5:30.

06/03/2026

Welcome aboard, Junior Leadership and Career Academy Class XI, presented by OG&E! 🎉

We are proud to welcome 32 outstanding students from across Sebastian County as they begin their journey in the 11th year of the Junior Leadership and Career Academy.

Throughout the coming year, these young leaders will explore career opportunities, develop leadership skills, and gain valuable experiences that will help shape their futures. We are excited to watch them learn, grow, and make an impact in our community.

Congratulations, Class XI! The future is bright, and we can't wait to see all that you accomplish. ⭐️👏🏼

04/23/2026

Such a special group of students! Congratulations, Class X! ✨

Address

612 Garrison Avenue
Fort Smith, AR
72901

Website

http://www.fortsmithchamber.com/, https://www.fortsmithchamber.org/jlca-class-ix-applications/

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