Junior Achievement of Southern California Inducts Kat Taylor and Raul Vargas into Hall of Fame at 70th Anniversary Celebration
December 5, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – Junior Achievement of Southern California (JASoCal) celebrated its 70th Anniversary with the 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center. The event honored Kat Taylor, Co-founder and Board Chair of Beneficial State Bank, and Raul Vargas, CEO of Farmers Insurance Group, for their extraordinary civic, professional, and philanthropic contributions that continue to inspire the next generation of leaders.
The evening began with a special 70th Anniversary Reception, sponsored by US Bank, and brought together community leaders, educators, and supporters to recognize individuals whose dedication has left a lasting impact on youth.
“This evening is a celebration of the incredible impact Junior Achievement has made over the past 70 years and the visionary leaders who inspire us to keep building dreams for the next generation,” said Leslie Perovich, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern California. “Kat Taylor and Raul Vargas exemplify the kind of leadership, commitment, and heart that make a lasting difference in our communities, and we are proud to honor them tonight. Their stories remind us of the power of mentorship, education, and opportunity to change lives.”
Guests enjoyed a dynamic program featuring keynote discussions with Rick J. Caruso, Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso®, and Lewis C. Horne, President of Advisory Services for CBRE’s Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and Inland Empire region. Their engaging conversation explored leadership, innovation, and the importance of creating a legacy of positive change.
The program also featured Donte Apperwhite, this year’s Volunteer of the Year, who moderated a panel discussion with the honorees, Kat Taylor and Raul Vargas. Donte, a JA Alum and Deloitte executive, has dedicated over 650 volunteer hours in the past year, impacting more than 2,200 students through his leadership and mentorship.
A Legacy of Empowerment
For 70 years, Junior Achievement of Southern California has empowered young people with real-world financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurial skills. Programs like JA Finance Park and JA Inspire provide students with hands-on experiences to prepare them for success in life and work. With the recent passage of California legislation requiring high school students to complete a personal finance course, JASoCal is positioned to be a critical partner to schools in meeting this important mandate.
Through its innovative 3DE Schools program, JASoCal has reimagined the high school experience, bringing real-world learning to classrooms in Crenshaw High School and Dominguez High School, with plans to expand across Compton Unified School District.
Event Impact
The funds raised from this event will directly support JASoCal’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for a successful future. Each dollar helps deliver programs that serve over 52,000 students annually in more than 134 schools across Southern California.
