Past Honorees on the Value of Junior Achievement

Zion Parran ’23

Josh Adler ’25

Zion Parran, a member of the 18 Under 18 Class of 2023, is an entrepreneur who co-runs Kupcake Kidz, a baked goods company.

She entered JA 18 Under 18 in its inaugural year as a middle school student and now is a student leader and advocate at Baltimore City College.

“Being part of JA 18 Under 18 has opened doors and given me a new community of professional leaders and entrepreneurs, and has helped me form meaningful relationships with other liked-minded peers,” says Zion.

“This experience has provided me with ongoing support leading into high school, preparing me for college, and reaching my future aspirations.”

Josh Adler, JA 18 Under 18 Class of 2025, is part of the most recent class of honorees, and is an award-winning writer, poet, and orator.

“JA 18 Under 18 has helped me both learn a leadership mindset and develop my networking skills,” says Josh. “It’s allowed me to meet incredibly successful people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise and grow my social circle.”

Leadership isn’t just a future goal for JA 18 Under 18 honorees, it’s already in motion. Their achievements shine a light on the promise of youth and the power of investing in their potential.

At JA, we celebrate these students not only for what they do now, but for the brighter future they are helping create for all of Central Maryland.

Find out more at jamaryland.org