Twenty-four seniors from high schools within the Jordan and Canyments school districts were awarded $1,000 scholarships after completing the South Valley Chamber’s Jr. Women in Business program. Supported by America First Credit Union, the program distributed a total of $24,000 to the graduates in Sandy, Utah.
The yearlong Jr. Women in Business program offers networking, education, and mentorship opportunities designed to prepare young women for future careers and academic success.
Participants engaged in community service by volunteering with The Road Home, helping at a community carnival that raised funds for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The program also included job shadowing experiences to allow students to explore various career paths.
Saylor Jensen, a senior at Mountain Heights Academy and program participant, noted that shadowing Laura Klarman provided a better understanding of the fast-paced and people-centered nature of certain professions.
During the graduation, commencement speaker Chelsea Fairbourn, Executive Director of the Tony Finau Foundation, advised students to build strong relationships, be resourceful, and define success through their personal values and lifestyle.
Jay Francis, president and CEO of the South Valley Chamber, encouraged the graduates to maintain connections with their peers and mentors, stating that he built his own career based on relationships.
Laura Klarman, Manager of Marketing and Communications at Intermountain Health – Riverton Hospital, described the program as inspiring and noted the value of the confidence and connections built through the initiative.
The South Valley Chamber has already selected a new cohort for the 2026–2027 school year, with the upcoming program scheduled to begin in late August.
