La Crosse’s renowned crochet kid will compete against a trio of fellow entrepreneurs this month for a chance at a $10,000 scholarship from Junior Achievement of Wisconsin.
Jonah, 13, who found global fame in the world of crafting after his La Crosse Tribune profile in 2018, is the founder of the Jonah’s Hand’s brand, which includes books, a fashion line, one of a kind handcrafted pieces and logo merchandise, and has appeared on numerous TV shows and in magazines.
The talented teen boasts over 109,000 YouTube subscribers, 277,000 Instagram followers and 135,000 Facebook followers.
Jonah is also a young philanthropist, having raised funds to build a science center and library in his birth country of Ethiopia through his ongoing partnership with nonprofit Roots Ethiopia.
The Lincoln Middle School student will be the youngest of the four contenders in the 2021 Junior Achievement Young Entrepreneur Live Competition, being broadcast online from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 28. Also participating are American Maker’s Carter VanHaren, 17, of Brookfield; Prime Time Performance’s Madison Russell, 17, of Shullsburg; and T. Gehri Caprine Artificial Insemination Services’ Tessa Gehri, 17, of Wonewoc.
The finalists were selected based on criteria including charisma and hustle, business success, growth potential, social involvement, strategic direction, personal integrity and leadership.
For the “Shark Tank” style competition, sponsored by Ernst & Young at Majic Productions in Waukesha, each contestant will present their business and “state their case” for earning the scholarship to the judge panel, consisting of Craig Culver, co-founder, board chairman and brand ambassador for Culver’s; Christine Specht, CEO of Cousins Subs; Craig Karmazin, founder and CEO of Good Karma Brands; and Denise Thomas, president and owner of the Effective Communication Coach. The judges will ask questions, make critiques and offer feedback.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the core principles of Junior Achievement,” said Michael Frohna, president of Junior Achievement. “Similar to the classroom and community programming Junior Achievement offers, the Young Entrepreneur Live Competition embodies that entrepreneurial spirit in a new generation of American leaders.”
Registration to view the event is available at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/jaowi/event/823617/.
From Tribune files: La Crosse crochet prodigy Jonah Larson's rise to fame
In January 2019, the La Crosse Tribune introduced La Crosse 11-year-old crochet wonder Jonah Larson to the world. Here's a look at his journey so far.
When the UPS man came knocking with a dolley piled high with packages, Jennifer Larson immediately knew they were for her youngest son. And th…
When 11-year-old Jonah Larson graced the cover of the La Crosse Tribune last month, hooks and yarn in hand, readers worldwide responded with w…
ONALASKA — It didn’t take long for 11-year-Jonah Larson to choose the outfit for his book cover photo shoot: a stylish orange henley.
As a child, Daniel Sheehan gravitated toward arts and crafts with his mom over sports with his peers. So in young crochet prodigy Jonah Larson…
Dragon Taylor of the Harlem Globetrotters is a whiz with a basketball — 45-inch vertical jumps and finger spins at dizzying speeds? No sweat. …
Crochet wonder Jonah Larson has written a book — which officially debuted yesterday at Barnes & Noble — collaborated with a celebrity desi…
Last month, La Crosse’s crochet wonder Jonah Larson released his first book to great fanfare.
Last winter, Jonah Larson ascended from La Crosse’s own crochet wonder to international phenomenon.
Last July, tween crochet phenom Jonah Larson released his highly anticipated first book, a combination biography and ode to fiber art.
Crochet virtuoso turned mini-mogul and philanthropist Jonah Larson is no stranger to the small screen.
With nearly 9 million subscribers, YouTube star LaurDIY, aka the “millennial Martha Stewart,” is the queen of crafting.
Larson
Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.
Emily Pyrek
Community health reporter
Emily Pyrek covers health and human interest stories for the La Crosse Tribune.
