students running

Charter Home School Academy Students Become Entrepreneurs

00:00 AM - December 01, 2017

Olivia Kaihe, Best Marketing Winner, displaying her themed cupcakes

Olivia Kaihe, Best Marketing Winner, displaying her themed cupcakes

The Charter Home Study Academy (CHSA) multipurpose room was filled with eager customers traveling from booth to booth and purchasing homemade creations from student business owners. November 16 was CHSA’s annual Craft Faire where transitional kindergarten through eighth-grade students sold holiday decorations, hand-made toys, international cuisine, and more.

The event, now celebrating its 19th year, exemplifies CHSA’s mission, which emphasizes empowering students by building and applying foundational skills in ways that make learning engaging, relevant, and fun.

“Students gain valuable experience in economics and money management,” noted school administrator Dianne Deitchman. “In order to participate, students must submit a business plan that outlines their products, prices, and marketing strategy. Students were encouraged to adapt to the challenges of running their own business, and they did so brilliantly!”

After selling their wares, vendors visited classmates’ booths to barter and purchase goods. Students also received prizes in categories such as Master Entrepreneurs, Best Marketing, Best Display and Most Innovative Products.

Winners:

1st Place: Master Entrepreneur - Riley Smith, 5th grade

2nd Place: Master Entrepreneur - Jayden Lemming, 4th grade

3rd Place: Master Entrepreneur - Christian Vos, 6th grade

Best Display:  Katy and Michael Tudor, 4th & 8th grade

Best Marketing: Olivia Kaihe, 7th grade

Most Innovative Product: Hunter Tranum, 6th grade

Best Slogan: Ryan Bowen, 6th grade

Best Logo: Levi Lemming, 6th grade

Riley Smith, winner of the master entrepreneur award with his storefront, Riley’s Rusty Stuff made an impact on the judges with his handmade business cards; his slogan, “Turning Trash Into Treasure”; and his idea to use reclaimed materials to make products with history, character, and style. Smith also drew people to his booth with a display that included live chickens.  “I started my plan by seeing what my sister and I had to work with,” noted Riley. “We had a lot of what some people would consider junk, so we took it and turned it into something different.  I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and want to continue participating in the future.”

Riley Smith, Best Entrepreneur Winner, selling his wares

Riley Smith, Best Entrepreneur Winner, selling his wares

Chloe Messer, seventh grade, serving traditional Hungarian cuisine

Chloe Messer, seventh grade, serving traditional Hungarian cuisine

The CHSA program serves families who choose to homeschool their children. Students have the option to attend classes in core content areas and continue their academics at home, or do their studies entirely at home. Lessons at home are guided by parents and supported by credentialed teachers.

More information about the Charter Home Study Academy program can be found or by calling (530) 622-6984.

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