Cassi Mackey-Chenen

Mackey-Chenen's winning program idea, "Mercado" (Spanish for "open market"), introduces basic economic principles to elementary school children in an exciting and challenging way. After completing a general economic curriculum, the school puts on four Mercado programs in a year. Students form stores after selecting products or services, create a business plan and learn skills related to their stores (production and/or practicing services). They develop a budget and marketing strategies, advertise and track inventory. Each elementary classroom creates businesses. They also shop at their schoolmates' stores, so primary classes have the opportunity to shop and interact with older students. Mercado money is earned throughout the year and teachers are asked to decide how children merit the amount. The program also invites students from the thomas J. Pappas School for the Homeless to participate. together the students create a community where they support each other, respect diversity and work in cooperation to achieve a shared vision and goal. Mackey-Chenen is a resident of Phoenix.