Meet Naishon: ‘Being Part of 3DE Put Me Ahead’

Image caption: 3DE Graduate, Naishon

When Naishon steps onto the campus of his university in Delaware in late August to study finance and agribusiness, he will take more with him than those trusty “blue bags” filled with dorm room essentials. He will embody what the 3DE by Junior Achievement learning model is all about: relevant experiences and authentic connections to real-world complexities.

“I'd say being part of 3DE put me ahead as far as quick thinking,” he says. “3DE helped me know I'm good at finding solutions and managing money. It even changed my perspective on what I want to do for a career.”

Naishon was a participant in the four-year 3DE learning model at Clinton, Maryland’s Surrattsville High School. His 2026 graduating class of 35 made up the first 3DE cohort at Surrattsville.

Starting in ninth grade, 3DE students build critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills—durable competencies that are rewarded by the modern economy.

“At first, I didn't really take 3DE seriously,” Naishon explains. “I didn't think it was a real class or something I could learn from.”

Being part of a 3DE Case Challenge group that went to Junior Achievement Nationals at the end of ninth grade changed all of that.

“Once I realized this is something that could get me a lot of internships and job opportunities, I started taking advantage of my 3DE experience,” he says.

Another memorable moment was the 3DE Market Expo his junior year.

“Our Market Expo business was selling soul food—jerk chicken, mac & cheese, and greens—and there were five people on my team,” Naishon says. “We all had different roles but my role was basically managing all the paperwork, such as what our product should look like and how much we should be spending on supplies. That's what got me into doing finance, because managing money and knowing how much money we need to make is one of my greatest skills.”

When asked which of the six 3DE by Junior Achievement competencies stuck with him the most, he answers, “I’d say Effective Collaboration and Engaging Communication.” (The other four 3DE competencies are Critical & Analytical Thinking, Creativity & Innovation, Cultural Agility, and Self-Direction.)

“During my 3DE Senior Consultancy [in 12th grade], I kind of had to influence my teammates to get engaged. I had to really step up as a leader and try to guide everybody to how we're going to come up with our solution. I learned to figure out ways to motivate different types of people.”

Every 3DE student not only pitches real business strategies to industry professionals, but also analyzes data, drafts proposals, defends ideas under pressure, and steps into the role of consultant—all before graduating from high school.

3DE by Junior Achievement is what education can become when it connects directly to what comes next. Learn more about it here.