“How would you like to run your own real corporation, create a product, market and sell your product at Crossgates Mall — and even earn real money?”

This is the question that business teacher Mary Jo Eldredge asks her Introduction to Business I class as she introduces the Junior Achievement (JA) Company Program project.

The JA program provides Shaker High School students the opportunity to be a part of creating a corporation from the ground-up in their business classes.

Town of Colonie business people — and in some cases, district parents — have the opportunity to help students organize and operate an actual business enterprise. Students not only learn how businesses function, they also learn how to appreciate and better understand the role of business in society.

Julie MacArevey and James Breig from Key Bank have been advisors to the JA program for many years. They are dedicated supporters of the initiative and have helped to keep the program running.

High school business teacher, Michelle Frisone, describes their enthusiasm and professionalism as inspirational to students.

Lela R. Katzman, owner and president of Full Spectrum Communications, was the business sponsor to a group of students who started a company called Winter Treasures this past semester. Katzman is also a mother of tenth-grade Shaker High School student, Zachary Koppel.

“Junior Achievement is an excellent and innovative way to teach these young adults to understand the ins and outs of a real business,” said Katzman. “It has been such a fulfilling experience to participate in a variety of business initiatives, including running a brainstorming session that helped create the Winter Treasures company name.”

The 37 students who participated in JA corporations worked busily to create a variety of products, which were then sold at the Junior Achievement Trade Fair at Crossgates Mall in December.

Area business people visited the fair and judged each corporation based on best booth design, knowledge of JA, professionalism, best product, and knowledge of the workings of their corporation.

“I liked meeting new people and working with them on a product we designed,” said George Vogt, ninth-grade student and vice president of marketing.

After students sell their product, they liquidate and compile their annual reports, which include stockholders reports, financial spreadsheets, attendance records, payroll reports, production reports, etc. Each stockholder then receives a letter explaining whether the corporation experienced a profit or loss, including a liquidating dividend check.

“I learned more by running our own business than I would have from a regular class,” concluded ninth-grade student Christian McNulty.