Junior Achievement of Arkansas recently awarded $30,000 worth of Experian Youth Scholarships at the annual Hall of Fame Business Luncheon in North Little Rock.Â
The honorees include Timothy Johnson, a senior at eStem High School in Little Rock, who received a $5,000 scholarship; Ashly Lara, a senior at Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School, who received a $10,000 scholarship; and Bijou Porchay, a senior at Little Rock Central High School, who received a $15,000 scholarship.Â
“These students need access — access to education, training and resources to truly accelerate their dreams. That’s why these Experian Youth Scholarships are so meaningful,” said Heather Baker, Experian Scholarship presenter and president and publisher at AY Media Group, media sponsor for the event. “They help remove those barriers and give the students the opportunity to take the next step toward their goals, whether that’s college, certification programs or other pathways to success.”Â
Heather Baker, Timothy Johnson, David and Hope Fort
Timothy Johnson, eStem High School — $5,000Â
Timothy is a multiyear varsity basketball player who helped secure the 2025 6A State Basketball Championship and was recognized as a 4A All-Conference player while achieving a 3.8 GPA amid a rigorous schedule of advanced placement courses.Â
“I would like to first just thank Junior Achievement and Experian for this opportunity to continue my college and academic career,” he said. “I would [also] like to thank my parents, James and Angela Johnson. I would be nothing without them. They are everything and the reason why I’m standing in front of all you people today.”Â
He is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, in addition to serving as president of the teen auxiliary for the greater Little Rock chapter of Jack and Jill of America. In addition, he has volunteered at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Thrasher Boys & Girls Club, and the Arkansas Food Bank, all in Little Rock, and he completed a multiyear summer internship at Hope Academy in Little Rock.Â
Timothy will continue his academic and athletic journey at Hendrix College in Conway, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in computer science while advancing his basketball career.
Ashly Lara, Heather Baker and David Fort
Ashly Lara, Little Rock Southwest High School — $10,000
A dedicated student leader, Ashly said the Experian Youth Scholarship will help support her dream of becoming a first-generation college student.Â
“I am truly honored and grateful to accept this Experian Scholarship,” she said. “I want to sincerely thank Junior Achievement for investing in students like me and for recognizing the importance of education and opportunity. Receiving this scholarship means so much to me, not only financially but personally.”
Ashly is an exceptional student, maintaining a 4.3 GPA and earning the Biliteracy Seal in Spanish, and she has served numerous leadership roles, including as senior class president. She has also volunteered with Baptist Health Community Outreach and supported community organizations such as Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Good Shepherd’s Nursing Home and the Little Rock Zoo, in addition to coordinating the donation of more than 2,000 books to Arkansas Children’s and foster care organizations as an Impact Project Leader.Â
Ashly honed her leadership skills while educating more than 300 students about health topics through her involvement in the Health Information Project. Aiming for a career in healthcare, she has earned a number of certifications, including Heartsaver First Aid & CPR, automated external defibrillator, ServSafe, and phlebotomy. After graduation, she plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in hopes of becoming a postpartum nurse.Â
Heather Baker, Bijou Porchay, David and Hope Fort
Bijou Porchay, Little Rock Central High School — $15,000
A second-generation college student, Bijou is an honors graduate with a GPA of 4.184 who has been involved in organizations such as National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, HOSA, Beta Club, Ethics Bowl and Ambassador Student Connect.Â
“Receiving this Experian Scholarship is incredibly profound to me because it’s an immediate support that’s underlying a long-term commitment,” she said. “It’s a commitment to my education, my goals and the impact I will make. Years from now, the support you all have given me today will continue through the patients I care for, the communities I serve and the work I dedicate myself to.”Â
Bijou is a National History Day honoree and ranked first in Arkansas and nationally on the National Spanish III and IV exams. Not only has she shown exceptional academic rigor, but she is devoted to community service, contributing more than 500 volunteer hours.
Bijou plans to major in Spanish and premedicine at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, with the goal of becoming an OB-GYN serving rural and Hispanic communities. Her passion for healthcare has been shaped by her lived experiences, including having a visual impairment, which has strengthened her empathy, resilience and commitment to patient-centered care.Â
Experian Youth Scholarships
Junior Achievement of Arkansas partnered with Experian Employer Services last year to launch the youth scholarship initiative for aspiring young leaders across the state. The Experian Youth Scholarships aim to empower Arkansas students through financial support and resources to help them achieve their educational and career goals.
“Junior Achievement of Arkansas is committed to providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed,” said Tonya Villines, president and CEO at Junior Achievement of Arkansas. “Partnering with Experian allows us to extend our reach and reward deserving students who are poised to make a difference in their communities.”
Tonya Villines
David Fort, director of business development at Experian, said the partnership aligns with the company’s vision.Â
“At Experian, our mission is rooted in the belief that financial health is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” he said. “We operate on the core value that data and education should be used as a force for good, specifically to build a more equitable financial future for everyone.”
He added that the Hall of Fame Business Luncheon was a great success.
“I was so tickled to death and so excited to be there for the second year in a row,” he said. “I just love seeing the kids’ reactions, and their speeches were just so motivating and inspiring.”
The scholarship recipients, who were selected from a pool of about 40 applicants, stood out not only for their academic success but for their leadership and community service.Â
“They are already on the fast track to success, clearly,” Fort said. “Just keep doing what you are doing. You can do anything as long as you put your mind and head to it. I really expect to see them doing amazing things in the very near future.”Â
As future leaders, homeowners and entrepreneurs, he said, it is important for the younger generation to be exposed to financial literacy early through programs such as those offered by Junior Achievement of Arkansas.
“I just hope that we are able to do what we did for the past two years for many more years to come, maybe even get a little bit more involved and have our leadership team come down,” he said. “It’s just been such a fabulous partnership, and I really hope that we continue it.”
Feature Photo (l to r): Bijou Porchay, Timothy Johnson, David Fort, Hope Fort, Ashly Lara and Heather Baker | Photos by Jane Colclasure
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