Junior Achievement of Georgia (JA of Georgia) is proud to announce the third class of Nineteen Under Nineteen: Students to Watch, a statewide recognition program celebrating young people who demonstrate remarkable leadership, innovation and community impact.
Representing schools and communities across Georgia and representing ten regions, these honorees are already making an impact through entrepreneurship, academics, service, leadership and creative pursuits:
Jalayah Beason (South Gwinnett High School, Gwinnett County) – Jalayah Beason is a student entrepreneur who uses her passion for business, natural hair education, and connecting others with opportunities to inspire confidence and growth in her community. Through 3DE by JA, she has gained valuable opportunities to network with CEOs and business leaders, develop her professional skills, and discover the power of putting herself out there.
Alex Bigsby (Northview High School, Fulton County) – Alex Bigsby is a sustainable-fashion entrepreneur, athlete, and community leader who creates reusable apparel patches while empowering customers to support causes they care about. Through 3DE by JA, Alex has further developed his ability to turn ideas into solutions, while gaining the confidence to present his ideas to business leaders and step outside his comfort zone.
Samantha de Haan (University of Georgia, Forsyth County) – Samantha de Haan is a real estate and marketing entrepreneur who turns curiosity into opportunity while championing financial literacy, mentorship, and career exploration for young people across Georgia. Samantha’s drive to pursue new ideas was first sparked through Junior Achievement, and when she became involved with the Miss America Opportunity, she chose Junior Achievement of Georgia as her service platform.
Bailey Edwards (Homeschool, Fulton County) – Bailey Edwards is a four-time author, creative entrepreneur, and youth wellness advocate who uses storytelling and the arts to help young people recognize their potential, build confidence, and feel supported. Through Junior Achievement, Bailey has also discovered the value of collaboration, learning how communication and shared responsibility can bring people with different experiences together to accomplish a common goal.
David Evans (Cross Creek High School, Richmond County) – David Evans is a young entrepreneur and emerging leader who combines creativity, adaptability, and service to create meaningful experiences, mentor others, and open doors for those around him. Through Junior Achievement, David gained a deeper understanding of financial decisions, career possibilities, and the importance of planning for the future, while JA Finance Park helped him discover potential paths in culinary arts and the military.
Caycee Hill (Greenbrier Middle School, Columbia County) – Caycee Hill is a creative young strategist, athlete, and aspiring professional gamer who uses collaboration, innovation, and leadership to turn bold ideas into shared success. Through Junior Achievement, Caycee gained confidence in his ability to negotiate, communicate, and think strategically while discovering that great business ideas often begin with simple acts of collaboration.
Iris Holberton (Columbia Virtual Academy, Columbia County) – Iris Holberton is an award-winning artist and young entrepreneur who combines creativity, history, and storytelling to preserve meaningful stories for future generations. Through Junior Achievement, she gained the confidence to make informed financial decisions while recognizing how the choices she makes today can help build the future she envisions.
Michael Lawton (St. John Academy, Savannah-Chattahm County) – Michael Lawton is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and academic leader who hopes to combine technology and innovation to solve meaningful problems and improve people’s lives. Through Junior Achievement, he strengthened his understanding of budgeting, responsible spending, career preparation, and the financial responsibilities involved in adulthood.
Jonah Mann (Northview High School, Fulton County) – Jonah Mann is a motivational speaker, and community leader who expands access to sports, builds meaningful connections, and inspires others to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Through 3DE by Junior Achievement, he developed the confidence to embrace challenges, communicate ideas effectively, and view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to quit.
Lily Reese Miller (West Forsyth High School, Forsyth County) – Lily Reese Miller is a student leader, mentor, and youth cheer coach who builds confidence in others through encouragement, service, and leading by example. Through 3DE by Junior Achievement, she developed the confidence to communicate effectively, embrace new challenges, and approach problems with a professional mindset.
Tanya Patel (Parkview High School, Gwinnett County) – Tanya Patel is a safety-focused entrepreneur and leader who creates innovative products, programs, and opportunities that empower others to feel confident, supported, and capable of meaningful change. Through 3DE by Junior Achievement, she discovered the confidence to turn ideas into action, a lesson that has shaped her approach to entrepreneurship, service, and leadership.
Pranshu Raithatha (West Forsyth High School, Forsyth County) – Pranshu Raithatha is a technology innovator and award-winning digital storyteller who combines engineering, design, and behavioral insight to create tools that inspire more intentional choices. Through 3DE by Junior Achievement, he has further developed his ability to analyze complex business problems, earning a case challenge victory by transforming his ideas into an actionable solution under pressure.
Jenell Reid (Dacula High School, Gwinnett County) – Jenell Reid is an aspiring marketing professional and entrepreneur who combines technology, financial insight, and real-world business experience to transform everyday challenges into promising ideas. Through Junior Achievement, Jenell built a foundation in financial literacy, communication, and collaboration that she continues to apply to new challenges.
Gabriela Ruelas (The Dalton Academy, Whitfield County) – Gabriela Ruelas is a first-generation college student who has transformed quiet determination into confident communication, collaborative leadership, and a passion for understanding others. As a four-year 3DE Ambassador, she has supported students and teachers while learning to approach challenges with flexibility, accept constructive feedback, and trust others with responsibilities she once preferred to manage herself.
Destiny Joy Sagay (Douglas County High School, Douglas County) – Destiny Joy Sagay is a global youth leader and human rights advocate who advances equity through diplomacy, sustainable innovation, and expanded access to opportunities in sports. She has also participated in conversations surrounding artificial intelligence, youth rights, diplomacy, and social equity, continually seeking opportunities to better understand complex issues and the people affected by them.
Caroline Surratt (Calhoun Middle School, Gordon County) – Caroline Surratt is an animal welfare advocate and nonprofit founder who supports dog rescues, champions adoption, and aspires to expand access to compassionate veterinary care across Georgia. Junior Achievement helped strengthen the confidence behind that ambition, introducing Caroline to financial responsibility and entrepreneurship while showing her how partnerships can turn an idea into meaningful community impact.
Reid Voglesonger (Roswell High School, Fulton County) –Reid Voglesonger is a woodworking entrepreneur who is transforming his growing confidence into handcrafted products, ambitious ideas, and a future distinctly his own. Through 3DE by Junior Achievement, he found the business principles and community to help turn those early experiences into a larger vision.
Darielle Williams (Savannah Legacy Academy, Savannah-Chattahm County) – Darielle Williams is a curious problem-solver and community-minded leader who combines STEM, creativity, and service while pursuing her dream of becoming a forensic investigator and entrepreneur. Junior Achievement has also helped Darielle recognize that leadership is not simply being in charge; it is serving others, creating opportunities, and helping people succeed.
Jane Zhang (Northview High School, Fulton County) – Jane Zhang is a student researcher, photographer, and bird enthusiast who transforms curiosity about the natural world into scientific discovery, nature-inspired innovation, and meaningful conservation. Her instinct to dig deeper has also shaped her experience in 3DE by Junior Achievement, where she learned to ask the “why” and “so what” behind an idea and strengthen her thinking through research, data, collaboration, and real-world application.
“These 19 students reflect the extraordinary talent, determination and potential found throughout Georgia,” said John Hancock, President & CEO of JA of Georgia. “Each honoree has found a meaningful way to lead, create and serve. We are proud to recognize all they have already accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make.”
Now celebrating its third class, JA of Georgia’s Nineteen Under Nineteen: Students to Watch recognizes 19 young people from across the state who are making a difference in their schools, communities and beyond. Honorees range from middle school students to recent high school graduates and have participated in JA experiences such as JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, 3DE by Junior Achievement, JA Summer Camp, and the JA Dream Accelerator.
Each honoree receives a scholarship to support their educational or entrepreneurial goals and will be recognized at their local JA Business Hall of Fame gala.
To learn more about the 2026–2027 class of Nineteen Under Nineteen Students to Watch, visit https://www.georgia.ja.org/19-under-19.
More About Nineteen Under Nineteen
Nineteen Under Nineteen celebrates students across Georgia who are already demonstrating the skills, creativity, and resilience that will drive the future workforce. Students were selected through nominations from educators, peers, and community members. Nominations for the next class of Nineteen Under Nineteen will open to the public, statewide, in the early Spring of 2027.
*Schools listed with the honorees are based on 2025-26 school year
