Nearly 60 high school students from across West Michigan recently participated in the Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes’ 2026 JA Titan Business Challenge; the winners of which walked away with a $2,000 scholarship to Davenport University. 

This year’s competition, held at FlexCo in Grand Rapids, tested the students’ leadership skills in running a business through a fast-paced simulation. Four-person teams went head-to-head to make informed decisions about price, production, marketing and research and development for their own global, virtual business. By the end of the challenge, the impact of their decisions led to the success or failure of their companies.

Chris Fisher, senior events coordinator for Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, said the 2026 JA Titan Business Challenge is a powerful example of student commitment and creativity. “Students from area schools showed up prepared and ready to complete.”

Four students from Sturgis High School (Ian Johnson, Lucas Cates, Camden Duffy and Aiden Owsley) came out on top to claim the title and the Davenport scholarships.

Leah Aalderink, Davenport’s executive director of student financial services, said she is proud that the university supports the JA Titan Business Challenge and celebrates the talent of this year’s participants. “By providing scholarships to the winners, Davenport is investing in these bright, strategic thinkers who have proven they have the drive to succeed in our communities and beyond,” she said.

In addition to the competition, participants toured FlexCo’s manufacturing facility, heard from inspiring business professionals and attended a vendor fair, all of which helped them identify potential career paths.