From Donuts to Dollars: Krispy Kreme's Sweet Surprise to Clear Creek Sixth-Graders

Sixth-graders from Gilmer County embarked on an exciting educational journey to the Junior Achievement (JA) Discovery Center of Greater Dalton, immersing themselves in the vibrant world of JA BizTown. This innovative program, designed specifically for sixth graders by Junior Achievement, offers a unique blend of hands-on learning and real-world experiences, allowing students to step into the shoes of professionals, collaborate as a team, explore local governance, and gain insights into the mechanics of an economy, all while having fun!

But the journey doesn't begin with the school bus's arrival—it starts in the classroom, guided by passionate educators like Amy Milton E.D.S, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Clear Creek Middle School. Amy diligently prepared her students for their upcoming adventure by delving into the JA curriculum, covering essential topics from business loans to taxes, supply and demand dynamics, resume building, how to interview for a job, and beyond.

Infusing her lessons with real-world examples, Amy sparked her students' curiosity and fostered connections to the world around them. From using Krispy Kreme as an example to grasp the concept of sales tax to igniting discussions that extended far beyond the classroom walls, Amy's dedication to making learning engaging and relevant paid off. Students even started using Krispy Kreme as an example when asking questions during the lesson.

As the date approached for Clear Creek Middle School's visit to the JA Discovery Center of Greater Dalton, Amy couldn't resist sharing the heartwarming story of Krispy Kreme's role in their journey with the Greater Dalton JA staff. The response was nothing short of spectacular. Rosa Cuna, Director of JA Discovery Center Experience, reached out to their local Krispy Kreme, and the result was a delightful surprise—a generous donation of enough donut boxes to treat every student.

On Monday, April 22, 2024, the excitement among the sixth-grade students from Clear Creek Middle School was palpable. The students were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected treat from Krispy Kreme. These students weren't just enjoying a sweet indulgence; they were also digesting vital lessons in financial literacy and civic responsibility. Through the immersive experience provided by Junior Achievement of Georgia and the unwavering dedication of educators like Amy Milton, these students were equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the modern economy, all while having a blast.

Meta Partners with JA of Georgia to Impact Local Students

Meta storefront at the JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center offers glimpse inside the company's Newton Data Center, providing insight into how a data center works and career opportunities

ATLANTA — Meta (formerly the Facebook company) has provided a $385,000 grant to Junior Achievement of Georgia to support the interactive JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center, a powerful educational experience for middle school students to learn about the vibrant business community in the state.

The JA Discovery Center, located at the Georgia World Congress Center, provides an authentic environment where middle school students experience their futures firsthand. Through JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, more than 36,000 students a year have the opportunity to bring in-class learning to life and to find out what it’s like to run a business and manage a household budget.

"We are thrilled to have Meta as a storefront in our JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center," said John Hancock, President and CEO, JA of Georgia. "Our students will benefit from learning more about Meta, and about the important role data centers play in technology and the explosive growth of renewable energy across the state. Partners like Meta help us bring learning to life and to make the JA Discovery Center experience authentic and relevant."

Meta announced its Newton Data Center in Georgia’s Stanton Springs community (Newton, Walton, Jasper and Morgan counties) in 2018. Upon completion, the nearly 2.4 million-square-foot campus will represent more than a $1 billion investment in the state of Georgia. It operates 100% with renewable energy. 

“Meta is proud to be part of this powerful educational opportunity for middle schoolers across the state,” said Katie Comer, Community Development Regional Manager for Meta. “They can come see firsthand how different businesses operate and what career opportunities may exist for them. It’s an especially important chance for Meta to show them how our data center—right here in Georgia—is part of the global infrastructure that supports apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Meta Quest and Facebook."

Because of Meta’s donation, middle-school students from its Newton Data Center community in Walton County will visit the space in May. This partnership will also extend the potential impact to surrounding Newton, Jasper and Morgan counties.

The Meta space features:

• A conference room styled like a Meta office

• Mock servers that light up to showcase how Meta data centers serve as the infrastructure backbone that powers apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Meta Quest

• Job profiles that show the various types of positions at the Newton Data Center

• Local art, a trademark of Meta offices, giving the space the look and feel of a real Meta office

In addition to hosting middle-school students, the interactive space will be used to host Boost workshops, which teach small businesses how to leverage the Meta apps to be successful.

The Meta storefront joins Georgia-based companies including AT&T, Bank of America, Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines and Equifax.

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. Learn more about Meta's data center in Newton at www.facebook.com/NewtonDataCenter.