JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 11, 2002 — 51社区鈥檚 Student In Free Enterprise (SIFE) will host its annual Jr. SIFE competition for 450 sixth grade students from Madison and Crockett Counties Thursday, Feb. 14 in the Fred Delay Gymnasium on Union鈥檚 Campus. Students from 19 classes will present product ideas and business plans to be judged by West Tennessee business leaders. Schools participating this year include North Parkway Middle School, University School of Jackson and Crockett County Elementary. The class presenting the best business plan will be named Jr. SIFE Champions. The champions and the second and third place classes will receive trophies during this all-day event.
SIFE team members have been preparing the sixth graders for this competition by teaching a five-week course covering basic principles of saving and budgeting money and entrepreneurship. These students also spend time during the five weeks developing project teams to complete a presentation.
Throughout the day of competition, students also will enjoy fun, games and entertainment provided by various university organizations. During the day鈥檚 grand finale, the students will launch over 450 helium filled balloons tied with fact-filled postcards about the free enterprise system and small business. The project is designed to teach students about the free enterprise system and how to start a small business.