JA Rising Men: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
By Alexander Cartigan – Chief Editor
When I stepped into the Back Bay Conference Center on the morning of November 18, 2025, I felt the energy before I saw the crowd. A room filled with young men from high schools across Orange County, each carrying their own hopes, questions, and dreams. I was invited by Junior Achievement of Orange County and Inland Empire to serve as both a panelist and a mentor for JA Rising Men, an experience rooted in one powerful theme: Confidence, Character, Self-Belief.
The Junior Achievement program holds a very personal place in my heart. As a young adult, I often felt lost, without clear direction or guidance. I wish I had access to programs like this when I was their age. I wish someone had stepped into my life earlier and taught me the power of self-confidence and the strength that comes from building character from within. So standing in that room, speaking to these young men, felt like more than service. It felt like purpose.
The day opened with a moving keynote from Dr. Stefan Bean, Superintendent of the Orange County Department of Education. His message, The Power of Choice: Becoming the Man You Are Meant to Be, set a powerful tone for the morning. Hearing Dr. Bean’s life story was truly inspiring. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and inner strength. As he shared the challenges he had to overcome in his personal life, every student in that room, including myself, felt the weight and meaning behind his words.
His stories were not just motivational, they were transformative. Dr. Bean embodies what is possible when someone refuses to give up, no matter the circumstances. He is a beacon of what can be achieved through hard work, discipline, self-belief, and the determination to rise above adversity. His message reminded all of us that leadership begins with overcoming the battles within ourselves.
Following his keynote, Burgandie Onekea, Chief Regional Officer | Executive Director for Junior Achievement, offered thoughtful opening remarks that reinforced the purpose of the day and the importance of empowering young men through confidence, character, and real-world mentorship.
Shortly after, Dennis Cole, Chief of Staff at the Orange County Department of Education, stepped in as our emcee and moderator, keeping the energy strong and guiding the event with clarity and purpose.
Confidence and Character: Building the Leader Within
I sat on the panel alongside Darius Bozorgi, Michael Campbell, and Channing Lindsey. The purpose of this panel was to inspire young men to understand the power of confidence and character in shaping their future success. Through real-world experiences and practical advice, each panelist opened his heart to these students, many of whom were looking up at us and quietly thinking, “One day, that will be me.”
As I looked into the crowd, I saw a younger version of myself. When you make genuine, eye-to-eye contact with a student and feel your story resonate with them, everything comes into focus. Moments like that fill me with a deep sense of purpose.
The discussion centered around questions that every young man must eventually face: What does confidence mean to you? How do you recover from failure or rejection? What habits define a man of character? How do you stay true to your values under pressure? What advice would you give your 17-year-old self about courage and belief?
When it was my turn to speak, I shared something real.
Confidence is something you build by keeping the promises you make to yourself.
I talked about failure, about moments when life tested me, and how true character is shaped during the quiet, private decisions no one else sees. I told them that your values are not proven when life is easy. They are proven when you are pressured to forget them.
When Dennis asked what I would tell my younger self, I answered honestly.
Have courage. Believe in yourself even when you feel like you are behind. Trust that your story is still unfolding.
Breakout Session: The Elevator Pitch of You
During the breakout sessions, I worked closely with five students on The Elevator Pitch of You, helping them craft a 30-second personal introduction that reflected their identity and goals. We also wanted the young men to feel empowered during their pitches, so we took time to teach them how to tie a tie and understand the importance of presenting themselves with confidence.
These sessions were powerful. Some of the boys carried uncertainty. Some lacked confidence in their voices. I recognized that look. I had been that young man once too.
There was a moment during the day when I saw one of my students practicing how to tie his tie. That hit me deeply. I remembered being young and having nobody to teach me that simple, symbolic skill. I learned how to tie my first tie from a YouTube video minutes before my first big interview. Watching these young men receive hands-on mentorship reminded me just how meaningful programs like Junior Achievement truly are. They offer guidance, skills, and support that I never had.
Lunch and Real Conversations
Lunch gave us the chance to connect with students more informally. They asked thoughtful questions about career paths, leadership, and how to handle doubt from others.
I told them what I wish someone would have told me at their age:
You do not need to have every answer. You need discipline, direction, and belief. The rest will come through action.
Between conversations, we continued refining their elevator pitches. I watched them begin to hold themselves with more confidence, more clarity, and more pride.
Student Showcase
Volunteers stood in front of the room and delivered their pitches with courage. JA Mentors offered positive encouragement and highlighted the strengths they heard. The room was filled with applause and genuine support. This is the moment where everything we talked about came to life.
Andrew, one of my students, really reminded me of myself at his age. He stood out among his older friends. As a freshman surrounded by upperclassmen, he carried a quiet shyness and stayed mostly to himself. When it was time for everyone to stand and practice their elevator pitch, I noticed his hesitation. I looked at him and said, “You are brave. You can do this.”
With that small boost of confidence, he stood up in front of the entire room and delivered his elevator pitch with everything he had. I was extremely proud of him.
A Personal Reflection and Commitment
As the event came to an end, I felt inspired and grateful. I felt overwhelming gratitude for everyone who helped make this event possible. I am truly honored to be part of Junior Achievement, and I am extremely grateful for the partnership between Worn & Driven and JA. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire Junior Achievement staff, every mentor, our keynote speaker Dr. Stefan Bean, and all the students and partners who participated.
Everyone in that room has a busy life and demanding schedule, yet they chose to show up. Their presence is proof that even in small quantities, we can create meaningful impact. By giving our time, our stories, and our support, we become the beacons of light young adults often search for. It only takes one conversation, one moment of encouragement, or one example of resilience to change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
My goal through the partnership with JA is simple and meaningful. I want to use the Worn & Driven community to support initiatives that empower young adults. I want to align entrepreneurs, leaders, and collectors from our network with programs that help students build financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and leadership confidence so they can face the world head on. I am truly grateful to be part of this incredible mission, and I look forward to continuing our partnership between Worn & Driven and Junior Achievement to empower the next generation of leaders.
As someone who once needed guidance and did not know where to find it, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward. These young men deserve mentors who believe in them, challenge them, and help them unlock their full potential.
If there is one message I hope they carry with them, it is this:
Your confidence comes from your choices. Your character is built one habit at a time. And the leader you become will be defined by the courage you choose today.
JA Rising Men reminded me that leadership begins long before titles or achievements. It begins with self-belief. And these young men are already on the path!
To learn more about Junior Achievement of Orange County and Inland Empire, visit their website.