Students from Mr. Hugh McMahon’s Financial Literacy class set up shop during their lunch periods to sell goods to IHS students. They worked for months to brainstorm ideas before finally deciding on a shop.
“I’ve been doing this since the class started—so maybe three years. Since it’s a semester class, we do it twice a year. The kids seem to love it,” McMahon commented. He elaborated that he teaches this unit to show students how to become business owners in the future and to emphasize the value of planning ahead.
“Some students plan very well and make a lot of money; others don’t, and they face the consequences,” McMahon added. Students were given the freedom to choose what they wanted to sell, how much to charge, and their marketing strategies.
A total of five groups completed the project, including sophomores Noah Shumay, Bobby Jackson, Nick Spencer, sophomore Bryce Kwiatkowski, Bella Patacca, Lila Manfredonia, Marissa Mudra, Cassidy McKinley, Emily Slusher, sophomore Max DiGeronimo, and sophomore Sam Ressler. All students spent several months creating advertisements and commercials and posting flyers throughout the school.
The first group, Shumay and Jackson, sold Sparkling Ice drinks, Celsius beverages, and cookies out of their shop, which they called “The Snack Shack.” Prices ranged from $1.00 to $2.50, and in total.
The second group, Patacca, Manfredonia, and Mudra, sold dirty sodas for $4.00 each.
The third group, McKinley and Slusher, sold Crumbl cookies for $5.00 each and dirty sodas for $3.00 each.
The fourth group, Spencer and Kwiatkowski, sold Jolly Ranchers and Caramel Apple Pops at various prices. They set up a basketball hoop, offering discounts if customers made a shot.
The fifth and final group, DiGeronimo and Ressler, sold brownies for $0.50, Alani beverages for $2.50, and Nerd Gummy Clusters for $0.50.
“The profit range for the groups was $150 to just a few dollars,” McMahn commented.
The students sold their products during the 5A and 5C lunch periods, allowing all students to enjoy their offerings.
