Chamber and after-school program complete grant
SUBMITED BY GREATER MARYVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Brady Sybert and employee Deacon Nixon earned the highest total funds with their popcorn stand business as part of the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce Afterschool Success Grant project.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $4,000 2023 Building Business/ Community Partnership for Afterschool Success grant, the chamber announced in a news release.
The grant is funded by the Missouri Afterschool Network in partnership with the Missouri Chamber Foundation and the Missouri Math and Science Coalition. Funding supported a comprehensive project-based learning experience, GO! To the Spoofhound Market, for the Growing Opportunities after-school program at Eugene Field Elementary School in Maryville.
Students met once a week in August through November to participate in mini workshops. They heard from multiple guest speakers: Northwest camera operator Lauren Adams, tech specialist Robert Cronk of Nucor, Bailey Fergison of Bearcat Boogie Dance Studio, Sylvia Choulpek of Desserts by Sylvia, YouTube channel creator Sandra Wood, local author Amy Houts, Hannah Christian of Northwest Career Services and Adam Summers from Northwest Enterprise Facilitation.
Students created their own businesses, applying what they learned about marketing, finance and production. They were assisted by mentors from the Northwest Technical School: Marci Behrens, Carrie Coulter, Karie Partridge and Davina Gilham.
As a culminating activity, students sold their products at a Spoofhound Market where third-grade students shopped. The grant funding enabled fourth-grade entrepreneurs to actually keep the profits they earned. Net revenues for businesses ranged from $17 to the highest total of $145 earned at a popcorn stand by owner Brady Sybert and employee Deacon Nixon.
SUBMITTED BY GREATER MARYVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Young entrepreneurs cut a ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the GO! To Spoofhound Market at the Growing Opportunities after-school program at Eugene Field Elementary School.
