Junior Achievement of Arkansas recently hosted its annual Hall of Fame Business Luncheon in North Little Rock, during which the organization presented the Hall of Fame Award, the Nelson Summit Award and $30,000 worth of scholarships.
Marsha Martin, CEO of Big Dreams Investments, received the Hall of Fame Award, while Ally Financial was honored with the Nelson Summit Award.
Heather Baker and Marsha Martin
The scholarship recipients were 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.
Attorney General Tim Griffin, presenting sponsor, praised Martin and others honored by JA for providing a role model for young people.
Attorney General Tim Griffin
“Ultimately, this is about investing in young people — the time, money, effort, passion and your experiences — and one of the best ways to invest in young people is model the right behavior,” he said. “How about that? Just do what you’re supposed to do, and first of all, give them something to look at. Give them something to replicate. Give them something to copy tomorrow.”
During the luncheon, Martin discussed growing Onyx Brands into one of the premier cosmetics companies worldwide, her $5 million donation to the Razorback Foundation and growing up in a small town as one of seven children.
“It’s truly an honor to receive this award and invest in the next generation of leaders, dreamers and doers,” she said.
Company representative Stephanie Kennemer, who accepted the Nelson Summit Award on Ally’s behalf, said the recognition reflected a shared commitment to equipping youth with financial skills needed to build their futures.
“Winning the Nelson Summit is a reminder of the responsibility that we have to our community,” she said, “and the recognition is more than meaningful. It’s a challenge not only to Ally but also to everyone in this room to continue to show up and create ways to give back to your young generation.”
The Experian Youth Scholarships were presented by Heather Baker, president and publisher at AY Media Group, media sponsor for the event.
Heather Baker
“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,” Baker said. “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.”
Timothy, the recipient of the $5,000 scholarship, is a multiyear varsity basketball player with a 3.8 GPA who plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in computer science while advancing his basketball career at Hendrix College in Conway.
“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.”
Ashly, who was awarded the $10,000 scholarship, said the funds will support her goal of becoming a first-generation college student. A student leader with a 4.3 GPA, Ashly has earned numerous certifications in health care and plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to become a postpartum nurse.
“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.”
Bijou, who received the $15,000 scholarship, has been active in numerous student organizations and earned a 4.184 GPA while contributing more than 500 volunteer hours.
Planning to major in Spanish and premedicine at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, with the goal of becoming an OB-GYN dedicated to serving rural and Hispanic communities, Bijou said her own life experiences, including living with a visual impairment, have shaped her dream of becoming a healthcare professional.
“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.”
Junior Achievement partnered with Experian Employer Services last year to provide the Experian Youth Scholarships. David Fort, director of business development at Experian, said the partnership aligns with the company’s mission of promoting financial inclusion and empowerment.
“By providing both funding and scholarships, we aren’t just giving back; we are investing in the next generation of leaders, homeowners and entrepreneurs,” he said. “The scholarships we’re awarding today represent more than just financial assistance; they represent a commitment to a plan. In a world where higher education often feels out of reach, these students have taken the initiative to map out their futures with clarity and purpose. At Experian, we value that kind of foresight and are honored to play a part in turning those plans into reality.”
Emcee Alisha Curtis, director of development at the Razorback Foundation, said this year’s hall of fame theme, “accelerating success,” was not just a slogan but a call to action.
Marsha Martin and Alisha Curtis
“What does accelerating success mean, you ask? It means giving students early exposure to real-world skills, connecting them to business leaders who inspire possibility, helping them move more confidently from the classroom to the career,” she said. “It’s about removing barriers, building momentum and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to succeed.”
Keith McGee, superintendent at the Watson Chapel School District, who spoke at the event with two of his students, shared the impact Junior Achievement had made at his district.
“As superintendent, I see a lot of programs come and go,” he said. “What sets Junior Achievement apart is that it just doesn’t teach content; it builds confidence, purpose and a vision for the future. Junior Achievement meets students where they are, whether that’s learning how money works for the first time, exploring careers that they didn’t know existed or realizing that their future’s bigger than the neighborhood they grew up in.”
Feature Photo (l to r): Chris Villines, Tonya Villines, Heather Baker, Tim Griffin | Photos by Jane Colclasure
