Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame

Photo: 2021 Student Ambassadors

Grand Rapids, Michigan, November 2021 – Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, Inc. (JAMGL) was proud to recently honor Sandy Jelinski, of Lake Michigan Credit Union, and Wilbur Lettinga, of Kentland Corp., as Laureates at the Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame. Jelinski and Lettinga were honored at the dinner and ceremony on October 25, 2021 at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame honors prominent business leaders who possess a record of outstanding business achievements in West Michigan, have earned the respect of the local community and who serve as a role model, particularly to local youth. It also features area JA student ambassadors who assist guests throughout the event and serve as emcees for the program. This year’s student ambassadors from Kelloggsville High School were: Juac Ayual, Amyah Hodges, Angel Nix, Noah Pickard, DeMarreon Rodriguez, Jerrod Spencer, Yarlene Valdez and Joe Vasquez, and from City Middle School, Joshua Beckford. “Our students did a tremendous job,” said Bill Coderre, JAMGL President and CEO. “We love having our student leaders at the event. We hope they will be inspired to be future business leaders themselves.”

This event would not be possible without the generous support of area business sponsors: Presenting Sponsor - Independent Bank; Supporting Sponsors - Priority Health, Mercantile Bank, Spectrum Health and Lake Michigan Credit Union; Centennial Award Sponsor - Frey Foundation; Crystal Medallion Sponsor – MLive; Inclusion & Diversity Sponsor – XRite; Edward J. Frey Distinguished Achievement Award Sponsor – Frey Foundation; Financial Literacy Sponsor – Baird; David B. Hensch Volunteer of the Year Sponsor – The Pranger Family Foundation; Business Hall of Fame Award Sponsor – Newco Design Build, LLC; and Print Sponsor – Judson Group. “We honor and appreciate our generous sponsors,” said Jay Ediger, JAMGL Senior Vice President of Development. “These business’ support allows us to continue to recognize our area business leaders.”

For more information on the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame or how to support JA programming in the region, please call 616-575-9080.