From left: Matthew Camacho, Sean Lee, Alexis Cruz, Camillah Mariano, Evan Cepeda, Aelah Frianeza, Hanna Reyes, Grenzyll Dela Cruz, Ha’ani Castro and Kaeani Cruz of Team la’la, the Guam Company of the Year for 2023-2024.
Inina, sponsored by Community First Guam, finished second in the 2023-2024 Guam Company of the Year competition.
HAGÅTÑA —146 high school students joined this year’s competition with nine student companies who stepped up to the challenge, which included in-school programs Father Duenas Memorial High School, Tiyan High School team, Southern High School team, as well as teams mentored by partner companies: Graphic Center, Title Guaranty of Guam, GTA, Dusit Thani Resort Guam, Bank of Hawaii, and Community First Guam.
Both the Company of the Year competition kick off (Sept. 16, 2023) and the awards ceremony, (Feb. 5, 2024) were held at the brand new multi-purpose auditorium at Guam Community College in Mangilao.
Guam Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio were in attendance to present the awards and deliver inspirational messages to the students.
Team la’la, sponsored by Graphic Center, won the 2023-2024 JA Guam Company of the Year Award edging out Inina, sponsored by Community First Guam, while Bank of Hawaii’s Ensena finished third.
The President of the Year was Cheyoung Ahn of GTA’s Tesoru as Rachel Cho of Inina settled for 2nd place with Ezekiel Palacious, Tiyan High School’s Homlo came in third.
In other categories, BOH’s Ensena took home Product of the Year, Best Business Video Presentation, and Best Trade Fair Display awards; Graphic Center’s la’la won Best Annual Report, Best in Show and Best Philanthropy awards as the first JA team to hold their own mental health outreach event at Agana Shopping Center. The Best Financial Management Award went to Title Guaranty’s team: Prikura Guahan.
Vice President of Finance of the Year was Matthew Camacho, Team la’la, Graphic Center; VP Marketing of the Year was Hanna Reyes also from Team la’la, Graphic Center; VP Sales of the Year was Rosalia Cruz, Tiyan High’s Homlo; and the VP Chain Supply Award went to Steven Bamba, BOH’s Ensena.
These JA Guam Company of the Year winners will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and represent Guam at the JA Asia Pacific’s annual competition which highlights the achievements of young entrepreneurs from Japan, Korea, India, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Turkmenistan.
The program and competition helps young people understand the role of business in the global economy by allowing students to organize and operate an actual business enterprise, and market and sell a product in the real world.
“The number one contributing factor to the success of this company is that each and every member truly immersed themselves in the meaning behind their product. We dove into the meaning and the purpose and stood by the vision and the mission. The product is just a symbol anyone can sell a product, but if you believe in the meaning of your product and see beyond the purpose you will find true success.” said Jessie Rosario, Team la’la advisor and mentor.
“On behalf of the JA Board of Directors, we greatly appreciate all the support from our community partners. Mas Dankulo Na Si Yu’os Ma’ase to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt Gov. Josh Tenorio, Dr. Mary Okada, Dr. Claudia Taitano, GEDA, GRMC, the GCC DECA Marketing program, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Guam, SBDC, David Beaver & Associates of Raymond James, Micronesia Mall, GTA, ASC Trust, Burger King, Pacific Charlie, B&G Pacific, Dusit Thani Guam Resort, UOG Guam Green Growth, RunGuam, Fokai Industries and Mayor Robert Hoffman.
“Special thanks to our judges: Ana-Alicia Cruz, Jennifer Valencia, Rex Valerio, Luis Martinez, Annania Nauta Kemp, Phillip Cruz, Michael Kilayko and Celia Anderson.
“Junior Achievement has held a special place with me since I was in high school. It gives students an opportunity to apply what they learn in a competitive business environment. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!” stated JA Guam sponsor, former Board Director & JA Alumni David Beaver of David Beaver and Associates of Raymond James.
