'Lemontopoly' Helps LHS Win Junior Achievement Company Of The Year

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School’s Junior Achievement entry – LHS Publishing, Inc. – was cited with Company of the Year accolades at the 2024 Chicagoland Junior Achievement competition, which was held at DePaul University’s downtown Chicago campus, the District shared in a news release. Seniors Andrew Kiel, Lydia Pelen and Nathan Tilly also each earned top honors within their respective team leader divisions.

LHS Publishing, Inc. thrived after bringing back one of its most popular products, the District said. “Lemontopoly: 10th Anniversary Edition” is a twist on the classic “-opoly” game, themed around Lemont’s community. Players can travel through landmarks and local businesses with six custom-made tokens commemorating the Village of Lemont’s 150th anniversary.

All 500 games were sold during the presale period. LHS Publishing, Inc. was able to donate $2,500 of its profits to Lemont’s Hope and Friendship Foundation, and an additional $2,500 to the EllieStrong Forever Foundation. The remaining profits were returned to stockholders, with dividends of $125.

This marks the second straight year, and the 10th time in 16 years, Lemont’s entry has picked up Junior Achievement “Company of the Year” honors. Prior to winning in 2023, it also won each year from 2018-20, the District said.

The officer team – which included Kiel, Pelen, Tilly, senior Natalia Zagata (Team Leader of Marketing), and junior Jovana Maksimovich (Team Leader of Customer Service and Sales) – represented LHS Publishing, Inc. at the Chicagoland area competition. The group presented its product and business plan, and answered questions from Chicagoland Chief Executive Officers and entrepreneurs about the company and its product.

Each of the team leaders participated in a separate interview process to be considered for the top team leaders in their respective divisions, LHS said. Tilly, who served as Lemont’s President this year, won Team Leader of Management accolades. Pelen repeated as the winner of Team Leader of Finance, while Kiel was tabbed as the top Team Leader of Supply Chain. Maksimovich was the runner-up in her grouping.

While she was unable to attend the Chicagoland area competition due to limits on the number of competitors allowed at the event, junior Milena Maksimovich (Co-Team Leader of Finance) also served on the officer team this year.

Lemont’s Junior Achievement organization annually builds a business from scratch, the District said. A student-led board creates a product, sells stock in the company and markets the product, with a goal of reaping dividends for its shareholders.

Lemont’s Junior Achievement faculty advisor is Business teacher John Aspel.