Organizers of the “Lemonade Day” in Dickinson County are callng it a “huge success”
This helps kindergarten-through-eighth graders learn to succeed through an entrepreneurial and experiential program infused with life skills, character development, financial literacy, career exploration and mentorship.
The program, which is an innovative hybrid of STEM + social-emotional learning + project-based education, introduces youth to foundational lessons through the real-world experience of starting their own business-a lemonade stand-the quintessential first business for young entrepreneurs.
“Our Lemonade Day was so much fun,” noted Suzanne Larson, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce and City Director of Dickinson County’s Lemonade Day. “We saw over 100 kids enjoying more than 30 lemonade stands around our community. The local support we received was outstanding. From our sponsors to the public who came out to support these budding entrepreneurs, it was a fantastic day in Dickinson County!”
Over the last 15 years, 1.5 million children have been impacted since inception. The program has licensed more than 90 cities in the U.S. and Canada and has seen more than 550 youth-service partnerships. They have seen over 11,000 mentors assisting these entrepreneurs. Lemonade Day has also raised over $24 million dollars to date.
“The kids that are involved in Lemonade Day learn how to make a goal, set a plan and achieve their dreams,” noted Larson. “It is proven that children who receive business education are more willing to seek opportunities, are more persevering, have greater ability to speak in public and solve problems, and adapt more easily to overcome challenges. That ‘I can do’ mentality is applied for the rest of one’s life,” added Larson.
Children learn to spend some, save some and share some as they learn by going through the lesson modules. So, not only are we teaching our youth about owning their first business and financial literacy but we are also showing them how to give back to their community through philanthropy,” noted Larson. Their hard work culminates in a city-wide Lemonade Day.
The winners of this year’s Lemonade Day for Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Loyal 2 Local) are Shake It Lemonade.
The group consisted of Izzabella Geneva, Nora Hartwig, Maya Meno and Esperanza Martinez. The Lemon Council of Lemonade Day took time to visit with every stand then met to discuss their findings. Many criteria were discussed to eventually come up with a winner. Each person on the Shake It Lemonade team received a $100 gift card to Walmart. These winners now move on to the Lemonade Day National contest, where a national Entrepreneur of the Year will be chosen. That winner then receives a round trip ticket for them and one parent/mentor to Houston to attend the national awards.
Watch for the 2024 Lemonade Day to hit our area. Home schooled kids are also encouraged to join in the fun, said Larson. For more information, please contact Suzanne Larson at the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce at 906-774-2002 or by email at slarson@dickinsonchamber.com
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