OKEECHOBEE — Rock Solid Christian Academy’s annual Marketplace looked a little different this year. Rather than holding the event outside under a large tent as they usually do, this year they set up inside the school with each class having its own sale. The exception was that food items were all consolidated to the library. The event was held on March 12 from about 8 a.m. until 11.

The marketplace began about six years ago with one class taught by Laura Feightner. Feightner was teaching her class about economy and decided to give the students a real-life example. Each year after that, they added more classes until it became a school-wide event. The teachers use it in the classrooms to teach an economy unit. The kids do a commercial. They have to create a project themselves. They have to do a proposal, and the older kids even do a projection of their sales, profit and things like that.

Two years ago, the younger students were welcomed into the marketplace but only as consumers. They have to wait until second grade to make and sell their own products.

Products are purchased with  “Soldier Bucks.” Parents are able to purchase the Soldier Bucks with cash. They can use them or give them to their children to use. Each child is also given soldier bucks based on their third-quarter report card. For every A, they get $5; Bs get $4; Cs get $3; Ds get $2. That is their bank to start with. They are given the opportunity to shop at each other’s booths during the market.

The money gained from the sale of the soldier bucks is used to buy rewards for the top seller, most creative project, best sales person, etc. The kids do their best to win this one by shouting things like, “Buy one get one free” or “Come get your stress ball here.” Some of the students perform services instead of selling a product — face painting, nail painting, hair braiding, etc.

As the younger children shop the marketplace, they are encouraged to look at the products the older children are selling. This helps them with ideas for next year.