Upshur County fifth graders have learned basic principles about business and economics through a special partnership with West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) organization.  For the past 12 weeks, Wesleyan students have visited nine classrooms, teaching students how to manage money, advertise products, and understand basic economic concepts through Money Matters. Over 200 students are expected to display their knowledge and showcase their products at “The Market” on April 10 at 6 p.m. at the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School.

In each classroom, the groups were divided into two teams.  Each team selected a product to produce, developed a logo and marketing strategy, and borrowed start-up funds from the SIFE bank.  During “The Market” on Monday, each team will do a live info-commercial about their products and then sell their merchandise throughout the evening.

This is the seventh year for the Money Matters program.  “The whole idea of “Money Matters” is to provide students with the skills to become an entrepreneur,” says Leah Loubiere, a senior management major and SIFE public relations director from Mineral Wells, WV.

“Money Matters is an amazing program that allows children the opportunity to go above and beyond learning from a textbook,” adds Taran Parsons, a junior management major from Ripley, WV.  “They learn business and economics fundamentals and they benefit from having role-models which hopefully will motivate them to perform well in school.”

“SIFE’s Money Matters program has been a wonderful experience for the students,” notes Vicki Sharp, a fifth-grade teacher at Buckhannon-Upshur Intermediate School and Wesleyan alumnae.  “They have learned many life-long skills such as the art of compromise and fundamentals of business.  The students have had so much fun with the Money Matters program and they have especially enjoyed making the products.  They have taken so much pride in their product and they are anxious to sell what they have made.  The students and I look forward to SIFE day each week.”

In addition to the Money Matters program for fifth graders, Wesleyan SIFE students have also worked throughout the year with Buckhannon-Upshur High School business classes.  Those students will conduct a silent auction for their products on Wednesday, April 12, at Buckhannon-Upshur High School from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more information about Wesleyan’s SIFE organization, contact Dr. Scott Bellamy, associate professor of economics at (304) 473-8477.