Letter To Seattle: Grown-Up for a Day
Junior Achievement taught me responsibility and how to plan for my future
By Tigran January 11, 2023
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2022 issue of Seattle magazine.
Dear Junior Achievement of Washington,
My name is Tigran, and I am a sixth grader.
Last year, when I was in fifth grade, I visited BizTown with my class, and I wanted to tell you how that field trip made a difference.
To prepare for the visit, my class and I spent time with our teacher learning about cities: how they are run, the kinds of businesses and stores in cities, jobs and how someone can earn money, and what you can do with money. It was all interesting information, but I don’t think I fully understood how it all worked together until we stepped inside BizTown.
I have been on many field trips at my school, but this one was nothing like I expected! For one thing, I had no idea that BizTown actually looks like a city, with a City Hall, stores, restaurants and streets. It was exciting that we could learn about different jobs people could do in a city, and how everyone working together makes that city a community.
At BizTown, I had the job of attorney, and I got to do so many cool grown-up things. I learned how to get a bank loan, became a CEO of a company, gave a speech at a Town Hall meeting, reviewed legal documents and even got to investigate criminal cases! Doing that job inspired me to be a good citizen in school and real life.
At BizTown, I got to try different things out. Who knew I could run for mayor and try to solve the problems our city was facing? Or that seeing my friends doing other jobs in the city would make me imagine myself being a news anchor, working in a store, or what I might want to do when I grow up.
After BizTown, I know so many words that most 11-year olds don’t know. I’m pretty sure many adults don’t know these words either and what they mean, like target market, business plan or direct deposit. I do! And I also know that managing money means that I need to think ahead, and instead of just buying games, some of my money should go toward saving for things like a car or college. It has made a difference.
Before coming to BizTown, I wasn’t sure I would be confident enough to give speeches. I had never done that before. But many of my classmates went before me so I practiced in my head and when it was my turn, I did it and I think I did a good job.
Because of this field trip, I learned more about the world, careers and money. It also helped me have more confidence and I know it will help me become a successful person in school and one day in any career I choose.
Right now, I’m enjoying being a kid but thank you for letting me be grown-up for a day!
Sincerely,
Tigran
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