On November 15th, 2011, over sixty students gathered in the River Hill Information Center to celebrate American Enterprise day. American Enterprise day began in the 1980 with president Jimmy Carter. Since then, it has developed into and FBLA-PBL program whose main goal is to teach students about the American Free Enterprise System and how the United States is especially fortunate and unique in that respect.
Students heard from Mr. Joe Cox, who is the owner of two McDonald’s franchises, one in Clarksville, and the other in Baltimore. Mr. Cox attended the Naval Academy and worked at a small company before opening his first McDonald’s.
Through Mr. Cox’s presentation, students were able to gain a better understanding of the stock market and the free enterprise system. Mr. Cox kept the students engaged by offering McDonald’s coupons to members that answered questions correctly. By sharing his personal experiences with the Free Enterprise System, students were able to understand it better and see it on a more intimate level.
FBLA members then got to test their skills with an exciting stock market activity. Each student was given fifteen “Hawk Dollars” which they used to buy sticks from ten different recognizable businesses. Just like dealing in the real stock market, the activity was fast-paced and hectic. The prices changed constantly based on different “news flashes”. As the game progresses, members could cash in at the bank and buy new stocks, but the object remained constant—to make the most profit by buying low and selling high.
Students then turned in envelopes containing all their earnings, and while attendees ate dinner, the winners were calculated. After dinner, winners were announced and received a small door prize.
Also in attendence were two Maryland state officers, Julia Menton, State Reporter-historian, and Thomas Ozman, Region 6 Vice President. River Hill FBLA was honored to host the officers for one of their chapter visits. Overall, American Enterprise was an overwhelming success, It educated more students about the Free Enterprise system, which is one of the FBLA-PBL missions.
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