Jackson Township Teens Win Global Award for Fire Safety Innovation
A group of Jackson Township High School students and recent graduates have made history, winning first place in the De La Vega Global Competition for their student-run company, FlameGuard. The business, launched in 2023, focuses on fire prevention and safety, selling kits that include fire blankets, extinguishers, smoke detectors, and escape ladders. Competing against teams from Tanzania, Brazil, Korea, Austria, and the United Arab Emirates, FlameGuard became the first U.S. team ever to win the world championship in Junior Achievement history.
The victory, announced virtually this week, earned the students a $15,000 grand prize, bringing their total competition winnings to $35,000. The team comprising Justin Lackey, Matt Smith, Joe Lattarulo, Zach Ferguson, and Jack Lancy first gained national recognition last year when they were named Company of the Year at Junior Achievement’s National Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
For the students, however, the mission behind their company goes beyond business success. FlameGuard was created in response to a devastating house fire in Jackson Township in 2023 that claimed the lives of four members of the Hawk family, including two children. Determined to make a difference, the team set out to promote fire safety and prevention.
The students plan to reinvest their winnings back into FlameGuard, expanding their reach and continuing to market their fire safety kits. With a growing customer base and international recognition, they are determined to turn their classroom project into a long-term, life-saving business.
