Junior Achievement of Georgia (JA of Georgia) is proud to announce that
Savannah Legacy Academy student Darielle Williams has been named to the third class of
Nineteen Under Nineteen: Students to Watch, a statewide recognition program celebrating
young people who demonstrate remarkable leadership, innovation and community impact.
Darielle Williams is a curious problem-solver whose confidence has grown alongside her
willingness to connect with those around her. A Girl Scout since kindergarten, Darielle
discovered an early talent for building relationships through cookie sales, becoming known as
the “go-to girl on the block” as neighbors sought her out year after year. Her connection to her
community started even earlier when, as a young reader, she shared children’s books on
Facebook Live, drawing an audience while discovering the confidence that comes from using her
voice.
Today, Darielle continues to seek opportunities that combine curiosity, creativity, and service, from coding and STEM programs to dance, drawing, crocheting, and music. During JA BizTown, she was selected to serve as mayor, an experience that strengthened her public
speaking and taught her how budgeting, businesses, and organizations work together to support a community.
Junior Achievement has also helped Darielle recognize that leadership is not simply being in charge; it is serving others, creating opportunities, and helping people succeed. She carries that mindset into the National Junior Honor Society, her work with Girl Scouts, where she has earned Bronze and Silver Awards, and her role as a Resilient Teen Ambassador for Resilient Communities of East Georgia.
Perhaps her greatest clue about the future came during a STEM camp through Starbase Savannah, where cracking codes, taking fingerprints, and examining DNA immediately captured her attention. Darielle hopes to channel that love of investigation and understanding people into a career as a forensic investigator, with ambitions of eventually becoming an entrepreneur and building a business of her own.
“These 19 students reflect the extraordinary talent, determination and potential found throughout Georgia,” said John Hancock, President & CEO of JA of Georgia. “Each honoree has found a meaningful way to lead, create and serve. We are proud to recognize all they have already
accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make.”
Now celebrating its third class, JA of Georgia’s Nineteen Under Nineteen: Students to Watch recognizes 19 young people from across the state who are making a difference in their schools, communities and beyond. Honorees range from middle school students to recent high school graduates and have participated in JA experiences such as JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, 3DE by Junior Achievement, JA Summer Camp, and the JA Dream Accelerator.
Darielle will receive a scholarship to support her educational or entrepreneurial goals and will be recognized during the JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame gala on November 6, 2026. To learn more about the 2026–2027 class of Nineteen Under Nineteen Students to Watch, visit https://www.georgia.ja.org/19-under-19.
More About Nineteen Under Nineteen: Nineteen Under Nineteen celebrates students across Georgia who are already
demonstrating the skills, creativity, and resilience that will drive the future workforce. Students were selected through nominations
from educators, peers, and community members. Nominations for the next class of Nineteen Under Nineteen will open to the public, statewide, in the early Spring of 2027.
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 bycorporate and community volunteers. JA of Georgia offers multiple programs, with a focus on middle and high school students,
including JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, 3DE by Junior Achievement, and the JA Dream Accelerator. JA of Georgia has locations in Atlanta, Cumming, Dalton, Evans, Lawrenceville, Morrow, and Savannah. For more information, visit georgia.ja.org.
