Under the columns of the National Building Museum this December, Junior Achievement, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and Washingtonian inducted five of our region's leaders who have done much to ensure Greater Washington remains a place where families and businesses thrive. And, listening to the reflections of Seth Goldman, Sheila Johnson, Joe Rigby, John Toups, and Scott Wilfong I was struck by the path that each of them took to find their own American Dream.
As Dan Beyers reflected in The Washington Post, " At my age, I've made just about every mistake possible, and so my education has literally been one of trial and error. I got the feeling, listening to the testimonials last week for the newest inductees into the Washington Business Hall of Fame, that my experience is not unique. The lessons we learn early in life are often the ones that stick with us longest."
This holiday season, consider thinking about how you're inspiring our region's children with these early life lessons. Are you challenging them to think about the importance of staying in school? Are you giving them a look into a career they may have not considered before now? Are you showing them how their financial choices play a huge part in their future success?
During his induction, Scott Wilfong recalled a thought from Robert F. Kennedy: "God and angels can observe. The rest of us are compelled to participate."
Ensuring our kids have the skills and the tools to be fulfilled and successful cannot be a matter of chance. We've got to make it a matter of fact. So today I ask... what will you do to participate? Ed Grenier
President and CEO
Junior Achievement of Greater Washington | 
