JA Southern Massachusetts Youth Summit: Impact Through Connection

Junior Achievement invites local high school administrators, educators, and guidance teams and your students to the 2026 Junior Achievement Youth Summit, taking place on Thursday, May 7th at UMass Dartmouth! This powerful, youth-centered experience brings together students, educators, community leaders, and industry professionals for a full day of inspiration, exploration, and hands-on learning.

As always, the event is completely free, and JA will pay for and arrange all transportation. Students will also enjoy a free breakfast, lunch, and an official 2026 Youth Summit event t-shirt.

Attached is the Student Packet, including permission slips and required forms.

🌟 What Awaits Your Students

This year’s theme — “The World of Tomorrow: Exploring AI as the Next World’s Fair Moment” — is designed to spark curiosity and empower students to see themselves as creators, innovators, and leaders in the rapidly evolving AI era.

Students will:

Connect directly with local leaders, employers, and community partners
Explore real-world career pathways in tech, business, education, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and more
Engage in hands-on learning that builds future-ready skills
Hear diverse perspectives from cross-generational voices shaping the future of Southern Massachusetts
Discover opportunities for internships, programs, networking, and next-step pathways

We are also thrilled to introduce our first featured panelists for the Fireside Chat Panel: Southern Massachusetts Leadership – Now & Next:

John J. Cabral, Superintendent of Taunton Public Schools
Samia Walker, Director of Programs at the SouthCoast Community Foundation

These leaders will discuss innovation, community opportunity, and the role young people play in shaping what comes next for our region.

📅 Event Schedule – May 7th, 2026 at UMass Dartmouth

8:00–9:00 AM – School Arrival & Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM – Kickoff Remarks from JA, UMass Dartmouth, and Program Partners
9:15 AM – Fireside Chat Panel: Southern Massachusetts Leadership – Now & Next
10:00 AM – AI for Youth Hands-On Learning Session
10:45 AM – Breakout Session 1: Industry Spotlight & Connection
11:15 AM – Breakout Session 2: Industry Spotlight & Connection
11:45 AM – Breakout Session 3: Entrepreneurship Spotlight & JA Company Program Pitch Competition
12:15–1:10 PM – Networking Lunch & Future Career & Education Connection Workshop
1:10 PM – Closing Remarks & School Departure

✔️ Attendance Information

We anticipate strong interest this year and want to ensure space for all who wish to participate. When you are able, please let us know if your school plans to attend and share your projected student headcount so we can plan accordingly and support your logistics.

We truly hope you and your students will join us for this exciting day of innovation, community, and connection. Please reach out with any questions — we are here to support you every step of the way.

Thank you so much for your partnership as always!

Jeff

Jeffrey Pelletier | President & CEO
Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts
128 Union Street, Suite 304 | New Bedford, MA 02740
C.508.264.0586 | jeffrey.pelletier@ja.org