(Story courtesy of Junior Achievement of Georgia)
Junior Achievement of Georgia has named three area students as part of its third class of Nineteen Under Nineteen: Students to Watch.
David Evans, Caycee Hill, and Iris Holberton have been recognized as part of a statewide program celebrating young people who demonstrate remarkable leadership, innovation and community impact, according to a news release from Junior Achievement of Georgia. These honorees are already making an impact through entrepreneurship, academics, service,
leadership and creative pursuits:
Evans, a recent graduate of Cross Creek High School, is a young entrepreneur and emerging leader with a strong desire to serve others and create opportunities for those around him. Growing up alongside his father in the family’s art business, he learned early that leadership is about more than building something for yourself; it is about using your skills to help others discover what they are capable of.
Whether hosting painting parties, helping children and adults with their projects, preparing supplies, or simply making sure guests have what they need, Evans has learned to be a chameleon, stepping into whatever role is needed to help an experience run smoothly. Those experiences have shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, from working on a clothing line to exploring a future that combines creativity, financial success, and service.
Through Junior Achievement, Evans gained a deeper understanding of financial decisions, career possibilities, and the importance of planning for the future, while JA Finance Park helped him discover potential paths in culinary arts and the military. His interest in military service reflects his desire to develop the discipline and leadership skills needed to serve others. Evans also hopes to become the kind of mentor who helps others avoid the mistakes he has made, believing that a good mentor should be willing to understand and experience life alongside the people they guide. His ambition is not simply to build wealth or experience the world, but to use what he learns along the way to open doors for others and leave a lasting impact on the people he leads and
serves.
Caycee Hill is student at Greenbrier Middle School, has already discovered that some of his greatest strengths are creativity, leadership, and the confidence to think differently.
During JA BizTown, Caycee served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Jim Hudson Lexus, where he developed an inventive marketing strategy that helped transform his team’s business into one of the day’s biggest success stories. Recognizing an opportunity to work together rather than compete, he proposed a partnership with the neighboring ADP storefront, allowing each business to promote the other through shared discounts. The collaboration proved so successful that both businesses
sold out early, and Jim Hudson Lexus not only repaid its startup loan but also finished the day with a profit.
Through Junior Achievement, Caycee gained confidence in his ability to negotiate, communicate, and think strategically while discovering that great business ideas often begin with simple acts of collaboration. Outside the classroom, he brings that same mindset to football, soccer, and lacrosse, where he is learning that leadership means encouraging teammates, helping them through challenges, and bringing out the best in others. Caycee is already thinking intentionally about how his strengths can shape his future, combining his passion for video games with an interest in pursuing a career as a professional gamer. Rather than
following someone else’s path, he hopes to create one entirely his own by continuing to develop his skills,
embrace new ideas, and approach every opportunity with creativity and confidence.
Iris Holberton, a student at Columbia Virtual Academy, has always been drawn to the stories that shape people, places, and history.
Her passion for art has led to numerous honors, including having her work displayed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and featured in exhibitions across Georgia.
Beyond the classroom, Iris has built a successful pet, house, and child-sitting, along with a commissioned art business, where she has learned that trust, communication, and reliability are just as important as creativity. Through Junior Achievement, she gained the confidence to make informed financial decisions while recognizing how the choices she makes today can help build the future she envisions.
Iris balances her artistic pursuits with academic excellence, leadership, volunteer service, and a genuine commitment to
her community. Her love of history, inspired in part by musical theater and strengthened through her experience on the Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board, has shown her how art and storytelling preserve the people and moments that define generations. That passion has shaped her career goals and inspired her to combine creativity with historical preservation.
Iris plans to attend Augusta University to study Graphic Design while earning a certification in Museum Studies, with the goal of becoming an archivist and eventually a museum curator. She hopes to use art, history, and education to preserve
meaningful stories and help future generations better understand the world around them.
“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 and JA Summer Camp.
Each honoree receives a scholarship to support their educational or entrepreneurial goals and will be recognized during the JA Greater Augusta Business Hall of Fame on March 16, 2027.
