The West Virginia Wesleyan Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team will be one of 120 teams throughout the United States competing for the national championship in Kansas City, MO, May 21-23.  Wesleyan advanced to the finals after winning a regional title in Cincinnati, OH.  It was the College’s sixth straight regional championship.

The 34-member team completed 11 major projects during the past academic year, dedicating more than 3,000 hours of community service.  One of the most popular projects has been “Money Matters,” a model economy educational program for fifth grade students.  Wesleyan’s SIFE team initiated the program seven years ago and it expanded this year to nine different classrooms in Upshur County.  “Money Matters” introduces economic principles in the form of lessons, hands-on activities, and simulations.  Students learn about banking concepts, how to start a business and develop marketing skills.  With the success of the program in elementary schools, Wesleyan’s group added three high school business classes this year.

Other SIFE program highlights included the “Real World” program, a safe money management seminar that was developed in partnership with the Upward Bound program.  SIFE also supported international projects such as Supporting Education Abroad in Guangzhou (China) and the Kayamandi Project (South Africa). 

“It is a real honor for Wesleyan to advance to the national competition,” says Dr. Scott Bellamy, associate professor of economics.  “There are nearly 1,000 teams in the United States and only 500 actually qualified for the regional tournaments.  While advancing to the tournament is a major accomplishment, I am even more proud of the students and their commitment to providing important life skills to elementary school children, high school students, and young adults.”

Each of the teams will compete in a league format and the winners will advance to the next round.  Wesleyan’s students will present a 24-minute audiovisual program to the group of judges.  Wesleyan also earned the right to compete for the Sam’s Club SIFE USA Entrepreneurship Award.  This is the first time the College has qualified for an individual topic title.

“The national competition will be a tremendous experience for our students,” adds Dr. Bellamy.  “They will meet business executives from many Fortune 500 companies as well as see presentations from other colleges and universities.”

For more information bout Wesleyan’s SIFE organization, contact Dr. Bellamy at (304) 473-8477.