This November, Barney students continued to make a meaningful impact in local schools and the greater Hartford community through a series of hands-on learning and leadership events in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA).
On Nov. 7, the entire Barney freshman class participated in JA in a Day, traveling to both the University of Hartford Magnet School on campus and Annie Fisher Elementary School. Students stepped into the role of teachers for the day, leading lessons for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders on topics like careers, financial literacy, and the importance of community. Members of the Barney Leadership Council, who have taken part in JA in a Day in prior years, served as team leads—providing support, guidance, and an added layer of mentorship.
Just one week later, on Nov. 14, the Women in Business Education Club (WiBE) hosted the She Leads Conference at the Shaw Center, welcoming 70 high school women from across Greater Hartford. In partnership with JA and with generous sponsorship from JPMorgan Chase, students participated in three interactive workshops on elevator pitches, interview skills, and personal branding. Chase professionals not only led the sessions but also joined a panel alongside two WiBE members, Carly Macdougald ‘27 and Kalle Legessy ‘26 M’27, where they shared insights about choosing majors, navigating college academics, and the steps that shape successful career journeys.
Looking ahead, the collaboration continues as the Barney Leadership Council will once again team up with JA this spring to host the annual JA Innovation Challenge, giving local students another opportunity to explore creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving.
Reflecting on the impact of these events and WiBE’s involvement, Carly shared:
“Collaborating with JA for the She Leads Conference was an amazing opportunity to get our club members involved with the community. We were able to share some of our own tips and tricks about interviewing and answer some of their questions about college. It was also great to hear from business professionals!”
Together, these experiences highlight Barney’s commitment to leadership, community engagement, and empowering the next generation one classroom, workshop, and connection at a time.