Junior Achievement recognizes businesspeople who make nonprofit possible

MOOSIC — The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders might not be there right now, but PNC Field is still getting some use, playing host Thursday to the Business Hall of Fame, recognizing contributors who make Junior Achievement possible locally.

Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit focused on growing entrepreneurial and business instincts in local youths by teaching them about money and careers from a young age.

Thursday’s event was a bit of a two-for-one, as it saw the local chapter of Junior Achievement simultaneously celebrating the 32nd annual Business Hall of Fame and its own 50th anniversary.

Ginny Clarke, president of the organization, thanked those in attendance for coming out. She explained the importance of Junior Achievement.

“This year, we are very lucky to be celebrating our 50th anniversary,” she said. “Oddly enough, it’s 80 years for the state with Junior Achievement, and 100 years nationally. It is a lot of fun looking back, learning the history of our organization.”

Chairman Michael Kashnicki also thanked the business people who make Junior Achievement possible. He spoke after a video was shown, illustrating the effects of Junior Achievement in our area, highlighting area kids who learned about economics. Kashnicki quoted one person in the video, who said Junior Achievement is the most important nonprofit locally.

“We couldn’t agree anymore,” he said.

As part of the event, Junior Achievement was raffling off autographed jerseys worn by Aaron Judge and Andy Ashby.

Nick Toma, news anchor at WBRE/WYOU, tests the microphone and points out where a raffle for an Aaron Judge jersey at the Business Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary gala Thursday at PNC Field in Moosic.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_hall-o-fame1_faa.jpgNick Toma, news anchor at WBRE/WYOU, tests the microphone and points out where a raffle for an Aaron Judge jersey at the Business Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary gala Thursday at PNC Field in Moosic. Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch

Jordan Perrine, corporate sales executive for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, chats with Mike Kashnicki, board chairman of Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Jack Carr, board member of the Junior Achievement, at the Business Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary gala Thursday at PNC Field in Moosic.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_hall-o-fame2_faa.jpgJordan Perrine, corporate sales executive for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, chats with Mike Kashnicki, board chairman of Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Jack Carr, board member of the Junior Achievement, at the Business Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary gala Thursday at PNC Field in Moosic. Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch

Joshua Kisbaugh of Kishbaugh Auto, a sponsor for the event talks, with Ginny Crake, president of Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, at the Business Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary gala.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_hall-o-fame3_faa.jpgJoshua Kisbaugh of Kishbaugh Auto, a sponsor for the event talks, with Ginny Crake, president of Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, at the Business Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary gala. Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch