Westcliffe students showcase entrepreneurial skills at Power Play market

By Joan Janzen

MARENGO — Westcliffe Composite School’s gymnasium was buzzing with activity Monday afternoon as Grade 5 to 9 students showcased their creativity and business skills during the school’s annual Power Play market.

Friends, family, community members and fellow students browsed tables filled with handmade products ranging from body scrubs, lip balms and soaps to jewelry, candles and knitted items. Shoppers could also find slime, bird seed hockey pucks, garden sparklers, hockey wax, salt dough creations, fish hooks, dog treats, motivational jars, hair accessories, key chains and picture frames.

Westcliffe Composite School students display and sell their handmade products during the Power Play market on Feb. 23 in the school gym in Marengo. Photo courtesy of Westcliffe Composite School

Principal Erin Pincemin said the students created their products at home while developing business plans and marketing materials at school.

“Power Play is a Sun West program that many schools choose to take part in every year,” she said. “It follows a business model right from first idea brainstorming, to proposing and getting a loan from parents, to marketing and creating their products, and finally showcasing and selling them.”

The hands-on program introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Participants secure small loans from their parents to cover start-up costs, repay those loans from their sales, and donate between 10 and 20 per cent of their profits to a charity of their choice.

“Most of our students have chosen Telemiracle,” Pincemin said.

After covering expenses and charitable donations, students are able to keep the remaining proceeds.

“The program teaches them how businesses work,” she said, noting students must account for overhead costs before realizing a profit. “It’s a good lesson on the realities and the personal sense of pride one can gain through business ownership.”

The market, held Feb. 23, drew steady support from the community and offered something for everyone.