Earlier this week (Jan 30), grade 8 students from George Freeman School participated in an Entrepreneurship Market and Movie Night.

Students were tasked with creating a food and beverage business to sell at the market.

100% of all proceeds from the market were donated to local charities such as Wheatland County Food Bank, True North, Strathmore Legion, and Strathmore Overnight Shelter.

Cotton candy, ice cream floats, meatball subs, beef jerky, popcorn, and hot dogs were just some of the many food options available for purchase.

Students Colton Neale, Tripp Hayes, Deacon Bayliss, and Liam Flaws created “Mamas Meatballs,” a business where they served homemade meatball subs at the market.

Each member of the group was tasked with a different role in the business. Flaws made the meatballs at home, and the others brought buns and supplies.

"Mamas Meatballs" run by (from left to right) Colton Neale, Tripp Hayes, Deacon Bayliss, and Liam Flaws. From left to right: "Mamas Meatballs" run by Colton Neale, Tripp Hayes, Deacon Bayliss, and Liam Flaws. 

Another business, “Smokey Way,” run by students Jesse Grice, Corbin Mokos, and Isaac David, was a success.

Students were proud of the money they were raising at the event.

Multiple movies were screened in different classrooms at the school.

People bought food from the students' businesses, and then they could choose if they wanted to watch either Indiana Jones, The Sandlot, Dora, Inside Out, Beauty and the Beast, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Snow Queen, or Pinocchio.

Baldwin BBQ & Catering was one of many local businesses that sponsored the event.

“Thank you to George Freeman School, Grade 8 teacher Zane Anderson, for this incredible program that you've built for our youth to experience. We can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to be part of the support, along with other local businesses,” Baldwin BBQ & Catering said in a Facebook post.

It was a successful night for the students and gave them an opportunity to learn about how to run a business while giving back to their community.

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