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The Best and The Brightest of 2025

They’re not waiting until they’re adults to make a difference in the world.

Meet the Junior Achievement 2025 18 Under 18 recipients. These incredible students have set themselves apart from the rest with their ingenuity, determination, and passion for helping others. Rather than waiting for opportunities, they create them. Rather than giving up, they face challenges head on. While they each have their own unique interests and skills, what unites the Class of 2025 is their ability to come up with creative, innovative ways to solve real-world problems and improve their communities.

Join us in reading their inspiring stories and celebrating their accomplishments.

2025 JA 18 Under 18 Recipients

Archana Gurudu

Age 17
Paradise Valley High School
Phoenix

ARCHANA'S STORY

Daniel Yang

Age 16
BASIS Mesa
Queen Creek

DANIEL'S STORY

Gauri Srivastava

Age 16
BASIS Oro Valley
Tucson

GAURI'S STORY

Nassar Bahody

Age 17
West Point High School
Goodyear

NASSAR'S STORY

Karina Koppikar

Age 17
Chapparal High School
Phoenix

KARINA'S STORY

Pamela Carbajal

Age 17
Nogales High School
Nogales

PAMELA'S STORY

Ashton Dolce

Age 17
BASIS Scottsdale
Phoenix

ASHTON'S STORY

Harper Helfman

Age 18
Desert Mountain High School
Scottsdale

HARPER'S STORY

Jonathan Mendoza De Niz

Age 16
Trevor G. Browne High School
Phoenix

JONATHAN'S STORY

Lizbeth Ortiz

Age 18
Buckeye Union High School
Buckeye

LIZBETH'S STORY

Nithish Prakash

Age 16
BASIS Scottsdale
Phoenix

NITHISH'S STORY

Rishabh Sreepathy

Age 17
Desert Mountain High School
Scottsdale

RISHABH'S STORY

Elizabeth Young

Age 16
Sandra Day O’Connor High School
Phoenix

ELIZABETH'S STORY

Brad Wu

Age 16
Arizona College Prep High School
Chandler

BRAD'S STORY

Ellegra Davis

Age 16
Chapparal High School
Scottsdale

ELLEGRA'S STORY

Owen Brosanders

Age 17
University High School
Tucson

OWEN'S STORY

Maryam Al Qaderi

Age 17
Xavier College Preparatory
Peoria

MARYAM'S STORY

Sarah Bendok

Age 17
Phoenix Country Day School
Phoenix

SARAH'S STORY

VIEW OUR 2025 CEREMONY VIDEO

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

Heidi Jannenga

Terry and Darren Hurst Legacy Foundation

Take a closer look – view the 2025 ceremony program.

PAST JA 18 UNDER 18 RECIPIENTS