By Donna Vavala
Panama City News-Herald
September 06, 2007

The Northwest Florida Junior Achievement will honor Bay County philanthropist M.G. “Bubber” Nelson and state Rep. Marti Coley at its Hall of Fame Recognition Dinner tonight.

“They were selected for their contributions to the local community,” said Ron Wolff, who serves on the local JA board and is a volunteer instructor for 34 10th-grade students at Mosley High School.

Former Speaker of the House Allan Bense will present Nelson and Coley with Laureate Award statues at the 6:30 p.m. dinner, which is being held at Edgewater Beach Resort.

Nelson served on the board of Commercial Bank and operated his father’s auto dealership. He has been a major donor and supporter of JA for many years.

Coley, who has taught at Chipola College for 17 years, is being recognized for her efforts to improve education.

Northwest Florida Junior Achievement comprises Bay, Gulf and Washington counties. It offers classes for students in grades 5, 8 and 10 to prepare them for the business world.

“We’d like to see them own their own businesses,” Wolff said, “and we encourage them to get their diploma and go on to college. We reach over 4 million students a year around the world.”

Fifth-graders learn the basics of how businesses operate. Eighth-graders build on what they learned by creating a product they take through the various stages of development, and 10th-graders learn business ethics, communication skills, how to interview for a job and much more.

“It gives them an understanding of what a business does,” Wolff said. “We show them how to balance their checkbook and how to keep books. The students I teach are animated and interested, and it helps that the classes aren’t graded.”

Wolff said the Northwest Florida chapter has 65 volunteers, and they always are looking for more to expand the program. Businesses or individuals can sponsor a student group for $500, which does not go toward teacher salaries.

“Small business is the backbone of our economy,” Wolff said.