Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) is proud to announce Palak Patel as the 2025 JA Dallas Student of the Year. A senior at Plano East Senior High School, Patel was selected from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants for her outstanding academic achievements, leadership and commitment to community impact. As part of this prestigious recognition, Patel will receive the Sandi Smith Scholarship, a $10,000 award to support her higher education journey in college and pursuit of a career in business.
Patel has been involved with JA Dallas as a participant in the JA Career Speaker Series and as an intern with JA Dallas. In her application essay, she described the lessons she learned as an intern: “I found myself diving into projects that challenged me to think in new ways and take on responsibilities I had never expected. It wasn’t just about tasks and deadlines; it was about learning how to navigate the complex world of business and understanding the value of making smart, informed decisions.”
As the JA Dallas Student of the Year, Patel will play a key role in the upcoming Dallas Business Hall of Fame, presented by Ryan, LLC, on February 22, 2025, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. During the event, she will address an audience of business and community leaders, sharing her inspiring journey and future aspirations. The student will also be recognized at the Laureate Reception, an exclusive gathering honoring this year’s distinguished Hall of Fame Laureates: Allie Beth Allman, Curtis C. Farmer and Dale Petroskey.
The Dallas Business Hall of Fame benefiting Junior Achievement of Dallas celebrates the best and brightest in the Dallas business community who have made a meaningful impact in the region. Now in its 27th year, the gala raises essential funds to support Junior Achievement’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy.
“Each year, the JA Dallas Student of the Year reminds us of the incredible potential of our young people,” said Chris LaTurno, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas. “Palak Patel exemplifies the qualities of leadership, perseverance and ambition that we strive to instill in every student who participates in our programs. We are proud to honor Palak at this year’s Dallas Business Hall of Fame and are excited to see her future unfold.”
The Sandi Smith Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior who has participated in Junior Achievement programs, with applicants evaluated on academic achievement, leadership and a personal essay. This scholarship underscores Junior Achievement’s commitment to fostering education as a pathway to opportunity.
About the Dallas Business Hall of Fame
Since its inception, the Dallas Business Hall of Fame has raised more than $5 million to support Junior Achievement of Dallas’ mission of inspiring and preparing young people for success. The annual gala celebrates the achievements of Dallas’ most influential business leaders while raising critical funds to provide students with learning experiences in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Through these programs, JA Dallas has reached over 700,000 local students, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of leaders. For more information on the event, visit jadallasbusinesshalloffame.org.
About Junior Achievement of Dallas
JA Dallas prepares students for the business of life. The nonprofit organization equips young people with hands-on learning experiences in financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship so they can thrive in our complex world and workplaces.
Last year, more than 2,500 business and community volunteers helped lead JA’s proven learning experiences across Dallas, Collin, Denton and Kaufman counties, engaging more than 100,000 students in real-world skills that life and employers demand. JA alums are more likely to have a college degree, make higher earnings and start businesses. For more information, visit www.jadallas.org