Many readers can readily identify with “back to school”. It conjures up positive images of young people, stimulates the economy, and causes us to be more alert at the wheel. It is the time of year we are most likely to reflect on kids and education and preparing them for the future. The mood is hopeful.

Too quickly, the headlines and news du jour interrupt our reflections. We read about university trained individuals with graduate degrees bilking their companies for their own enrichment, at the expense of fellow employees, pensioners, stockholders and the free enterprise system. We see a tousle-topped congressman declaring he will run for Congress from his jail cell. We read or watch the TV newsmagazines every day about people who should know better, making wrong choices and bridging the gap between obscurity and notoriety in an instant.

Where did these otherwise bright, educated and worldly people go wrong? Why did the promise of their youth turn to greed, corruption and flawed judgement?

Maybe, it was because some ordinary person, like us, crossed paths with these individuals and didn’t stop to say hello, and linger awhile. Perhaps they lacked an adult in their early lives who could model the attitudes and behaviors of successful, responsible persons. Then, again, it could be that no one impressed upon them the consequences of poor choices, or shared their life experiences, or made relevant the economics of life, or mentored them.

Could be. Could be we could make a difference in a young person’s life, simply by meeting them where they are and being ourselves, sharing our life experiences, helping them to develop life skills, learning of their aspirations, and offering them encouragement.

There are many ways this could happen. Here is one. Participate in the Junior Achievement experience at a school near you. It is fun, stimulating and immensely rewarding, personally. Most important, it has a real impact on the kids. JA classroom volunteers are as diverse as the community. They share a common interest in youth, education, and quality of life. They invest one hour each week for six to eight weeks in the classroom, interacting with students. Those volunteers from the employee community schedule their time as they would any internal or client meeting. All materials are provided as part of the JA curriculum. Volunteers organize highly engaging activities that develop critical skills, test judgment, build character and better prepare students for their role as citizens, consumers and workers.

Junior Achievement of Maine currently has 714 requests from teachers, who would welcome a volunteer partner this fall, winter or spring. More than 60 percent of JA volunteers return each year for new assignments, but there is a constant need to add to the talent pool. Because the JA experience correlates with the Maine Learning Results, teacher requests have increased more than 30 percent compared to the last school year. The need has never been greater.

Here is a real opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life and feel good about it. Should they make headlines a generation from now, their success will be your inspiration. Call Jennifer Connolly, program director, today at 591-9005 to learn more, or visit JA on the Web at www.ja.org.

John R. Hooper is president of Junior Achievement of Maine.