Applause and celebration filled the ballroom of the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on Sunday evening as Junior Achievement (JA) Cayman Islands hosted its annual Awards Banquet, marking the successful completion of the 2025–2026 Company Programme.
The event brought together students, proud families, educators, volunteer advisors and leaders from the business community to recognise a year of innovation, teamwork and entrepreneurial achievement.
Awards were presented across a wide range of categories recognising both individual excellence and company performance. Among the top honours of the evening, Carry the Culture was named Company of the Year, while Fuzz.ky captured Product of the Year, underscoring the creativity and market appeal demonstrated by this year’s student enterprises.
Individual leadership and performance were also celebrated. Adonai Rochez of Carry the Culture was named President of the Year, while top individual honours went to Akayla Seecharan (345 Exclusive Ltd.) as Female Achiever of the Year and Joseph Anglin (345 Exclusive Ltd.) as Male Achiever of the Year.
Awards recognising functional excellence highlighted the depth of talent across programme participants. Liana Gifford (Fuzz.ky) earned Salesperson of the Year, while Saraiya Prendergast (Carry the Culture) was named Human Resources Officer of the Year. Genesis Sanchez (Isla Kay Designz) received Finance Officer of the Year, and Joshua Dickens (Sea Grape Collective Ltd.) was awarded Marketing Officer of the Year. Victoria Sleutz (Sea Grape Collective Ltd.) was recognised as Production Officer of the Year.
The prestigious Pat Randall Award was presented to Tajae Williams of Isla Kay Designz, recognising outstanding overall contribution and character.
In addition, three students — Adonai Rochez, Reino Hanyani and Amaya McLaughlin of Carry the Culture — were selected to represent the Cayman Islands internationally at the JA Company of the Year Americas competition in Ecuador, marking a significant achievement for both the students and the programme.
Special thanks to sponsors Avis, and the Ministry of District Administration & Home Affairs.
The evening marked the culmination of months of hands-on learning, during which students conceptualised, launched and operated their own businesses — gaining practical experience in product development, financial management, branding and sales.
“The year may have passed quickly, but the lessons, friendships, experiences and confidence gained will remain with these students for a lifetime,” said Chamber President-elect Garth Arch. “The programme provides a real-world learning environment that prepares young people for higher education, the workforce and even future business ownership.”
This year’s six student-run companies — Isla Kay Designz, Seagrape Collective, 345 Exclusive, Islanyards, Carry the Culture and Fuzz.ky — showcased their entrepreneurial spirit at community events including the Agriculture Show, Red Sky at Night and a Valentine’s Sale at Camana Bay.
Arch commended the students’ creativity and drive, noting that the programme equips participants with skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
“Participants develop leadership, financial literacy, communication, problem-solving and the confidence to take initiative,” he said. “These are skills that will serve them throughout their lives and careers, regardless of the path they choose.”
A cornerstone of the programme’s success remains the strong partnership between students and Cayman’s business community. Volunteer advisors and host companies provided mentorship, guidance and real-world experience throughout the year.
“This programme would not be possible without the many individuals and organisations that continue to support it,” Arch added. “Your investment in our young people is truly an investment in the future of the Cayman Islands.”
This year’s host companies included DART, MUFG, Mourant, CITCO, CIMA, Moses Kirkconnell and the Rotary Club of Cayman Brac, with programme sponsors Disney, KPMG, Mourant and Health City Cayman Islands also recognised for their ongoing support.
Arch also paid tribute to Rotary Club Central for its role in establishing Junior Achievement locally, acknowledging its lasting contribution to the programme’s growth and success.
Since its launch in the Cayman Islands in 1991, Junior Achievement has helped equip generations of young Caymanians with practical business experience and essential workplace skills.
As the evening concluded with celebration and recognition, the lasting value of the programme was clear — not just in the awards presented, but in the confidence built, ambitions ignited, and future leaders beginning to realise their potential.