Sussex MS students sell their own products at market

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Former Mayor and Sussex Borough Councilwoman Katherine Little cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the TREP$ Marketplace at Sussex Middle School on Wednesday, May 6.

As part of TREP$, a gym full of young entrepreneurs, sixth- through eighth-grade, actively launched their businesses as they sold their wares. Business was good. Many of the students sold all their products and were even taking orders.

The students explained and attractively displayed their products. The sweet smell of handmade soap greeted customers as they passed tables. Video displays showed a cat playing with a toy that was for sale. One young boy, who loves comics, created and sold his own. Intricate duct-tape wallets displayed designs, and teacup bird feeders were all sold out.

The Sussex Middle School TREP$ Marketplace was organized and run by two Middle School teachers: Kim Oliveira and Mary Eileen Schoen. TREP$ is a voluntary six-week course where the students learned how to be young entrepreneurs through: product development, cost analysis, budgeting, marketing, and merchandising.

School officials already were talking about how they could see the TREP$ marketplace doubling next year. Oliveira said many of her students said they would like to come back, even if they do not take the classes. Schoen said that the majority of students are in sixth grade, so there should be an even bigger turnout next year.