Junior Achievement Will Unveil Statue For Teresa Burkamp

The tribute in Fort Wayne celebrates a volunteer who has mentored 32,000 students over 35 years.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy

Junior Achievement Will Unveil Statue For Teresa Burkamp

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Junior Achievement will honor longtime volunteer Teresa Burkamp with a commemorative statue unveiling in Fort Wayne on Friday, Oct. 9, at 4:30 p.m. The 73-year-old volunteer is being recognized for her 35-year commitment to local education.

Why it matters

Burkamp has dedicated decades to fostering student engagement through classroom visits and mentorship programs. Her work has left a lasting impact on thousands of local students who participated in her community planning activities.

Over her 35-year tenure, Burkamp has visited nearly 1,400 classrooms to mentor 32,000 students. The upcoming statue at JA Legacy Park will feature a mother duck accompanied by eight ducklings.

The players

Teresa Burkamp

She is a 73-year-old volunteer who has spent 35 years supporting educational initiatives at Junior Achievement.

Junior Achievement

This is a non-profit organization that provides hands-on programs to teach students about financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

The details

Burkamp, who often navigates school halls on a mobility scooter, is noted for teaching students to design communities using model buildings. She maintains that the curiosity and energy of the students she meets are the primary drivers of her long-term service.

Friday, Oct. 9, at 4:30 p.m. marks the statue unveiling for Teresa Burkamp.

Market Landscape

This tribute aligns with the Junior Achievement volunteer recognition legacy programs, which celebrate individual contributors to regional educational outcomes. Such commemorations reinforce organizational retention strategies by highlighting the long-term impact of dedicated volunteers within the community.

Local residents and supporters are invited to attend the public ceremony at JA Legacy Park to celebrate the milestone. The event serves as a platform for the community to acknowledge the lasting educational contributions made to local schools like Maplewood Elementary.

The takeaway

Volunteers like Burkamp prove that consistent engagement can shape the academic development of thousands of students over several decades. Community members interested in mentoring can use this legacy as an example of how individual dedication creates a widespread impact on regional education.