Contact: Amy Gilliam

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2005) -- UK HealthCare employees recently participated in the Junior Achievement’s Annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day (GHJSD) for Fayette County eighth-grade students.  GHJSD is a one-day, experiential program that sends Fayette County eighth-graders into the workplace to learn about local industries, specific careers and workplace issues.

“As a Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass board member, I fully support Junior Achievement’s Annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day,” said David Allen, assistant hospital director, University of Kentucky Hospital. “ University of Kentucky HealthCare System faculty and staff have been active participants in this event, the Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon and volunteer class room teaching activities.”

Last year more than 70 Fayette County eighth-graders got a taste of the working world through this exciting program. Volunteers and students met at Keeneland and then traveled to the job site, where students had the opportunity to learn about different job industries and professions and the connections between education and the workplace.

“We were thrilled to host Groundhog Job Shadow Day again this year,” said Laura May, administrative manager, Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. “This program is an opportunity for students to have a hands-on, real work life experience and oftentimes can shape the rest of that student’s life.”

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Visit Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass online.