Young entrepreneurs

Alice Campbell Havre Daily News [email protected]

It was squeeze room only in the gym and hallways of Sunnyside Intermediate School Thursday evening as students sat at booths peddling their wares for community members. Fifth-grade students from each of the school's six classes created a business, made and then sold products during the annual Trade Fair. The project incorporates lots of math skills, as well as teaches students about business, profits and losses and loans, said veteran teacher Marge Suek. After being assigned to a group and given $7 in seed money from the Parent Teacher Organization, the students were on their own to come up with creative ways to use recycled or reused materials to make a product, she said. Creat ivi ty abounded. Chr i s Gabrielsen, Kane Gabrielsen and Aaron Kutzler made fire starters, ornaments, paper wallets and sticks painted with Santa's face and snowmen. They learned how creative they could be with a business, they said. Chris said he'd like to own his own business one day. Magic Reindeer Dust, glass ornaments and snowflake ornaments were for sale at Jaycelyn Hassa's and Amanda Dess's booth. To make the glass ornaments, the girls put paint inside the balls and shook them. They learned how to make change and count it back and how to run a business, Hassa said, adding that she'd like to own her own business one day and sell clothing, shoes and blankets. Dess said that she too would like to own a business one day and sell various things in it. Kayla Krebs and Airyanna McLeod made potholders from popsicle sticks and beads, as well as ornaments and a blanket, which they put up as a silent auction item. They learned how to work with each other, they said, and each said that they might like to own their own business one day. Students also learned about giving. Tomorrow, after repaying the $7 dollar loan, students will count the money. Then, they will decide by suggestions and a vote which charities will receive most of the money each class keeps a small amount and uses it for an activity like a pizza party, Suek said. Usually, the classes rake in proceeds in excess of $2,000. Charities given to in the past have included Kitty Keepers, Kids for Cancer, Hope for Africa and the Salvation Army.