Yorktown Junior High School’s entrepreneurial spirit was on full display recently as eighth-grade students transformed the auditorium into a bustling marketplace during the first annual Lemonade Stand Project, a hands-on activity designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of business ownership, marketing, and customer service.
Under the guidance of junior high teacher, Whitney Schroeder, students worked collaboratively to develop and operate their own lemonade businesses.
“This year's 8thgrade entrepreneurship class was tasked with starting a lemonade stand business,” Schroeder said. “From the beginning to the very end, making a business plan, figuring out pricing, securing funds, marketing their products, bringing their businesses to life, and paying back their ‘loan’. We had 23 lemonade stands overall, each with its own unique idea and products.” The event gave students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in a real-world setting while also developing communication, teamwork, and problem- solving skills. Community members, faculty members, and fellow students were invited to visit the marketplace, where they could walk from stand to stand and ‘purchase’ different lemonade products created and promoted by the student entrepreneurs. Yorktown students were given ‘fake money’ to actually spend on products, while others were able to purchase ‘fake money’ with real money.
Throughout the project, students showcased creativity and innovation through colorful displays, themed branding, and unique flavor combinations designed to appeal to customers. Some groups focused on eye-catching advertisements and customer interaction, while others emphasized product quality and presentation as part of their business strategy.
Schroeder praised the students for their preparation, professionalism, and enthusiasm during the event.
“This project started as an idea, and the kids ran with it. In return, the 8th-grade class raised over $750, which will be used to start their Class of 2030 class account. What I loved most about this project was that it brought to life ideas and concepts we had been discussing all year, and watching all the light bulbs go off in my students as they went through each part of the entrepreneurship process.”
The Lemonade Stand Project continues to serve as a meaningful learning experience for Yorktown Junior High students, providing an engaging way to connect classroom instruction with practical life skills.
Secondary principal Laura Patek said, “I thought our students did an outstanding job. They implemented all the requirements of a business plan, marketing and then selling for profit. This is the first year that our school has done anything like this and the students really took to it, encouraging them to find a business pathway that they may feel comfortable in.”
