Thursday, March 12, 2026–8:10 a.m.
-Junior Achievement of Georgia –
Arly DuVall, an eighth grader at Rome Middle School, marked a milestone moment as she took the stage as keynote speaker at Thursday’s 20th annual Junior Achievement of Georgia (JA of Georgia) Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame. A 2025 JA of Georgia 19 Under 19 honoree, Arly delivered a powerful and inspiring address that earned her a standing ovation from more than 500 business and community leaders gathered at the Dalton Convention Center in Whitfield County.
Hosted on March 5, JA of Georgia’s annual gala celebrated visionary leadership and community impact across Northwest Georgia, honoring business and civic leaders while also showcasing remarkable students from the region who have benefited from Junior Achievement’s programs. While the evening recognized and inducted business leader W.L. “Tommy” Thompson into the Laureate Society, it was student speaker Arly’s heartfelt and inspiring keynote that set the tone for a night that honored leadership. Sharing her personal journey, Arly spoke about the transformative moment she was diagnosed with autism, finding her voice, and how she now uses her leadership to empower others and raise awareness. Her powerful message became one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
From Floyd County, Arly is known for her determination, leadership, and compassion for others. A High Honor Roll student and member of Beta Club and HOSA, she has also excelled in competitions, winning her district spelling bee and placing 3rd at the region. Through Junior Achievement, Arly gained confidence in her academic journey and discovered her leadership potential. She credits JA with helping her understand how businesses work together and how collaboration fuels success. Beyond academics, Arly is deeply passionate about medicine and aspires to become a pediatric neurologist specializing in autism, with the goal of helping children live fuller, brighter lives. Already turning her passion into action, she has created an autism awareness presentation for her school, raising funds for fidget items and working with administrators to educate her peers.
In her final remarks, Arly shared, “I am grateful that Junior Achievement believed in me before I was good at believing in myself. You gave me a place to try, to fail, to grow. You gave me real-world skills, mentorship, and trust. Most importantly, Junior Achievement helped me find my voice. And that voice has changed how I see myself, how I show up, and how I imagine my future.”
As a JA of Georgia 19 Under 19 honoree, Arly represents the next generation of leaders who are already shaping the future through innovation, service, and purpose.
About Junior Achievement of Georgia
Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia is a business- integrated education partner with expertise in experiential learning that successfully develops key mindsets and skills for students to lead meaningful and successful lives. JA’s high-impact programs drive long-term outcomes in areas of financial literacy, career readiness, and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, and are delivered by corporate and community volunteers. JA of Georgia offers multiple programs, with a focus on middle and high school students, including JA Biz Town, JA Finance Park, 3DE by Junior Achievement, and the JA Dream Accelerator. JA of Georgia has locations in Atlanta, Cumming, Dalton, Evans, Morrow, and Savannah. For more information, visit georgia.ja.org
