Entrepreneurs in Training at Lawson Middle School

Sam H. Lawson Middle School's gymnasium was bustling last week at its annual Holiday Faire was in full swing.           

The student run faire had more than 40 booths were selling an assortment of holiday items such as kites, plush toys, bracelets and food. Everything was crafted and cooked by students and a portion of the students' profit will be donated to a mutually agreed upon charity organization.

Open to the public the faire offered the community a chance for holiday shopping catch-up. The gym was as feverish as the New York Stock Exchange as students bartered their wares to customers and other student booths.

"Our kids are kind of little natural entrepreneurs," said Stacy Baier, a Lawson physical education teacher.

Baier was among a group of teachers who saw a similar event in Los Altos middle schools and  thought it'd be great for Lawson’s students to participate in a similar event. 

Students start preparing for the faire in September learning how to market their products, record spending, and how to generally run a business. Baier says it's a huge learning experience for both teachers and students. Each year the teachers gain experience and pass on to the students what worked and didn't work.

The students seem to have learned a bunch already because business was booming—several booths, such as the one selling chocolate and peppermint fudge, had "sold out" signs.

"In the past, we've had students make over $200 in this event," Baier said, "and then we have had students who end up negative, but it's all part of the learning process."

This was the third year for the event, drawing students from L.P. Collins Elementary School and the various high schools in Cupertino.

—Written by Hung Tran