Pennsylvania high school students once again had the opportunity to participate in Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week.

       PFEW is a unique and challenging program designed for high school sophomores and juniors, to learn about career opportunities they may have never considered. By acting as an executive management team and running their own business, they learn about our free enterprise system. With the task of turning an "imaginary company" into a financial success, they determine selling prices, marketing costs, budgets for production, research and development, financing, and stock offerings. They develop marketing strategies and design an advertising campaign.

       A volunteer business professional, serving as a "private consultant" to the company will direct their students through the exhilarating week. The program boasts more than 14,000 graduates who have entered the work force with a greatly enhanced understanding of the issues that face American business today.

       Donna Palermo from the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce served as a business professional who acted as a judge for the students companies. " My experience as a "Stockholders Judge" during Week III of the PFEW program was one that I will never forget. All of the young people worked so very hard to impress all of the judges on their accomplishments throughout the week, and I must say, I was greatly impressed with the students. What stood out most to me however, was the teamwork and bonding that took place throughout the week. I had the distinct pleasure of staying for the graduation ceremony that were held in the evening, and to see students who have never met each other before, from all over the state, crying and holding each other because the program was ended, was truly an emotional sight. I highly recommend this program to every school in the Greater Hazleton Area and ask for local businesses to support the program by providing scholarships for our students to attend".

       PIE was able to sponsor Michele Connors, a senior from Weatherly Area High School. "I learned about running a business and being on a team while preparing stock holder reports, marketing plans and analysis. The business speakers were excellent and I was able to hear first hand the careers in business today", stated Michele Connors.