The Region 4 Conference Center was transformed into a wonderland of holiday décor and gifts at the CASE for Kids’ Day Entrepreneurship winter market on Dec. 7. Approximately 260 afterschool students from 26 area schools gathered to sell their homemade holiday items and gain hands-on instruction on money management and entrepreneurship.

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The event, a culmination of a 6-week entrepreneurship project, also allowed students to participate as consumers. Students who attended the afterschool program earned “CASE bucks” for their contributions to the project that could be used as currency in the market.

From handmade ornaments and wreaths to bath bombs and even dog treats, the market offered something for everyone to check off their holiday wish list. The aspiring entrepreneurs also heard from Zoe Bailey, teenage founder of “Zojo Bun Slime,” and Sebastian James with The Sanders Hand, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through education and mentorship.

At the end of the day, winners were chosen based on profit, marketing and overall performance at the holiday market.

This year’s winter Kids’ Day Entrepreneurship winners were:

• Best Pitch: Kelso Elementary
• People’s Choice: Killough Middle School
• Most Innovative: Crespo Elementary
• Best Marketing & Advertising: Mahanay Elementary
• Best Customer Service: Cummings Elementary
• Social Impact: Clear Creek Intermediate
• Best Teamwork: Ross Sterling Middle School
• Top Sales: Outley Elementary

To learn more about CASE for Kids, visit www.hcde-texas.org/afterschoolzone.